419 scam: "Jim Bergan" <J.Bergan@uws.edu.au> Business proposal contact (todd_williams

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
This email message is a next of kin 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.
- todd_williams_0005@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 15:59:18 +1100
Subject: Business proposal contact (todd_williams_0005@hotmail.com)

Dear Friend,
I am Todd Williams, I am a staff of Natwest Bank Plc,U.k.i have a very
Urgent Business proposal of (£18,500,000.00 Million Pounds)for you to
handle with me from my bank.And finally I shall provide you with more
details of this transaction, , Please reply to my private box.
Mr. Andreas schranner, property magnate who was based in the U.K., who
happens to be one of our very good clients. On the 31st of July 2000, Mr.
Andreas schranner, his wife Maria , their daughter Andréa eich, her husband
Christian, and their children katharina and maximilian all died in the air
France concord plane crash bound for New York in their plan for a world
cruise.
This is the link,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm>

email:(todd_williams_0005@hotmail.com <mailto:todd_williams_0005@hotmail.com> )
Kind Regards,
Todd Williams(Mr.)
ACCOUNTS OFFICER

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam