419 scam: Mr Donny James <donnyjames@frnds.com> Dear Friend

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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

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

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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "adams23@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Donny James <donnyjames@frnds.com>
Reply-To: <adams23@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:29:10 -0500
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend How are you today?

Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail meets you in a
perfect condition. You may not understand why this mail came to you. But if
you do not remember me, you might have receive an email from me in the past
regarding a business proposal which we never concluded.

I am using this opportunity to thank you for your great effort to our
unfinished transfer of fund into your account due to one reason or the
other best known to you. But I want to inform you that I have successfully
transferred the fund out of my bank to someone else account who was capable
of assisting me in this great venture, Due to your effort, sincerity,
courage and trustworthiness you showed at the course of the transaction I
want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of
$550,000.00 United States Of America Dollars,

I have authorized Mr. Adam Smith where I deposited my money to issue you
international certified bank draft cashable at your bank. My dear friend I
want you to contact Mr. Adam Smith for the collection of this international
certified bank draft.

The name and contact address of Mr. Adam Smith is as follows.

Name: Mr. Adam Smith
Email:adams23@w.cn

Contact Mr. Adam Smith at the moment, I am very busy here because of the
investment projects which I and my new partner are having at hand In Nepal.
Finally remember that I have forwarded instruction to Mr. Adam Smith on
your behalf to send the bank draft check of Five hundred and fifty thousand
United States Of America Dollars to you. As soon as you contact him without
delay, kindly accept this token with good faith, as this is from the bottom
of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.

Mr. Donny James

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam