419 scam: "Williams Ayo Mawusi" <williamsayo@e-msc.com> I'm looking forward to your acknowledgement.

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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.
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:
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there are practically no risks involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mayomwilliams@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Williams Ayo Mawusi" <williamsayo@e-msc.com>
Reply-To: mayomwilliams@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 00:16:29 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I'm looking forward to your acknowledgement.

Compliments!

I am Williams Ayo Mawusi, a 52 years old Ghanaian. I have a piece of
classified information for you. I hope you read through and indicate your
acknowledgement if this deal interest you. What I am about to inform you
is a top secret, therefore treat it as such.

I am a banker and currently the Swift Operational Manager of the
International Commercial Bank Ghana Limited. I endorse and direct incoming
Swift Transfers from correspondent banks to our bank. The sum of US$22,
000.000 {Twenty Two Million United States Dollar} was transferred two days
ago by a construction company from Barclays Bank Mauritius into this
account 0240029052601UE ICON Ghana Limited. I had received a call from the
accountant of the company this morning informing me that the CEO and
beneficiary of the account died around 2.45 am today. He revealed some
secrets to me and pleaded with me to redirect the fund to another account
outside Ghana. I had thought deeply about this and gave my self to it
because it is a life-time opportunity to improve my status.

Meanwhile the beneficiary of the fund in question is late Mr. K.S.
Malayappan, a Multimillionaire Indian gold miner and contractor who also
reside in Ghana. Following the above circumstances, I have commenced my
search for a reliable partner who can provide a good bank account to
receive the fund before there can be any trace. It was during my search in
the Internet that I got your contact. So, if you are willing and
trustworthy, kindly indicate your interest in earnest.

I have discussed with the accountant and we resolved to share the fund
equally on completion of this deal. The most important thing is that we
all must treat this as a top secret among us.

Let me also assure you that there are practically no risks involved
because it is a bank-to-bank transfer. My position in the bank will also
ease some processes involved. I shall be demanding your complete profile
in your reply if you are willing to partner with me. I anticipate your
prompt response.

Regards,

Williams A. Mawusi.
E-mail:mayomwilliams@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam