419 scam: MR GARY HILL <mrgarys04@msn.com> CONTACT MR WILLIAM

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- mr_williamken@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR GARY HILL <mrgarys04@msn.com>
Reply-To: <mr_williamken@myway.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:15:31 +0000
Subject: CONTACT MR WILLIAM

Dear friend,

I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting that fund transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from Japan. Presently I am in Japan for investment projects. I have not forgotten your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some how.

Now, I am given you this sums due to your previous effort you participated. You will need to contact my secretary in Cotonou Benin Republic
NAME ; WILLIAM KEN
EMAIL ; mr_williamken@myway.com
ask him to send you the total sum of 1.000,000,00 Million euro. (One million euro) it is in a bank Bond, which I kept for your compensation. Please make sure you fill this FORM and send to him.

1. FULL NAMES:_______
2. ADDRESS:________
3. E-MAIL ADDRESS:_________
4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:______

Regards,
Mr Gary Hill

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam