419 scam: "Dr. Michael Williams" <drmichwillms@gmail.com> From Dr. Michael 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.

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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)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "greater london" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transferred into your bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "hundred thousand great british 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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447011147967 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Michael Williams" <drmichwillms@gmail.com>
Reply-To: drwilliamsmichs@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2010 15:12:11 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Dr. Michael Williams

>From Dr. Michael Williams
Harlesden, North West
London
Â

Dear Friend.
Â

I am Dr. Michael Williams from Harlesden, North West London, here in England. I work for NatWest Bank Corporation London. I am writing you from my office that will be of an immense benefit for both of us. In my department, being the assistant manager (Greater London Regional Office), I discovered an abandoned sum of Â£15.4 Million Great British Pounds Sterling (Fifteen Million Four Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers Late Mr.Terry Ryan who unfortunately lost his life in the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 which crashed on January 31 2000, including his wife and only daughter.
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The choice of contacting you is aroused from the geographical nature of where you live, particularly due to the sensitivity of the transaction. The Bank officials have been waiting for any of the relatives to come-up for the claim but nobody has done that. I personally have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for 3 years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin /Will Beneficiary to the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at Â£15.4 Million Pounds will be transferred into your bank account as the next of kin to Late Mr.Terry Ryan. Â
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This will be disbursed or shared in these percentages, 60% for me and 40% to you. I have secured all necessary legal documents that will be used to back up this claim we are making. All I need to do is to fill in your names to the documents and legalize it in the court here to prove you as the legitimate beneficiary of the fund.
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All I require now is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us sees this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I want you to understand that I have worked in this bank for 17 years, and I have been able to secure all legal documents to enable you inherit this fund Â
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Please provide me the following: as we have 7 days to run it through this is very URGENT PLEASE.

1. Full Name
2. Your Direct Mobile Number
3. Youâ€™re Contact Address
4. Date of Birth
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Having gone through a methodical search, I decided to contact you hoping that you will find this deal interesting. Please on your confirmation of this message and indicating your interest I will furnish you with more information. Endeavor to let me know your decision as soon as possible.
Â
Best Regards,
Dr. Michael Williams
Mobile Number:+447011147967

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam