419 scam: "Engr. Ahmed Aliu"<ahmedaliuprivate@gmail.com> Please Contact Rev. Williams for the package.

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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)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
- +447024038823 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- revwilliams2010@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Engr. Ahmed Aliu" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <revwilliams2010@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:59:58 -0700
Subject: Please Contact Rev. Williams for the package.

Dear Friend,

I am Engr. Ahmed Aliu the man from Nigeria who contacted you sometime ago to assist me in a transaction which we could not complete together.

Though you were not able to conclude the transaction with me, I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from Brazil. Presently I am out of the country.

Meanwhile I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts, please contact my secretary: REV. JOSE WILLIAMS E-mail: revwilliams2010@gmail.com for a token of $650,000 as my compensation to you.

Please contact him with your current full contact information.

With Best Regards

ENGR. AHMED ALIU

Tel: +44 702 403 8823.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam