419 scam: "JAMES BESS"<jamesbess@yahoo.com> Dear: Esteemed Customer

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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:
- "account opening" (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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "JAMES BESS" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesbess001@wss-id.org>
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 09:22:31 +0100
Subject: Dear: Esteemed Customer

Addison-Oaks Office
35 Rochester Road
Oakland, Michigan 48363
Tel: 1 586 275 402

Dear: Esteemed Customer

We are delighted to inform you today dated 7th June , 2012 that We

received a valued amount of fund to credit instruction from the Central Bank

Of Nigeria (CBN) in conjuction with the United Nation to credit your account

with your full Inheritance fund sum of $19,500,000 (Nineteen Million Five

Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) from the Federal Reserve account

with our bank Federal Reserve Board in Michigan.

Your fund is now deposited in our clearing house transit account which has

made cash available for immediate transfer to you. Before your funds can be

transferred, you are required to open an Online account with our bank. As

soon as this account is opened by you, we shall credit your total funds

immediately and your login details forwarded to you so that you can login

and make the total transfer of $19,500,000.00 USD therein via online wire

transfer into your bank account without delay. We shall receive your

application in our system once this has been done by you and submitted,

and shall get back to you regarding your account details.

Note: You will be required to pay for the account Opening and Actiavtion

which cost $395 only.

You are hereby advise to provide me with the below details, to enable me

proceed with the final processing of your funds.

Your Full name & Address....................................
Contact Phone Number / Fax Number............................
Current Occupation..............................
Marital Status..............................
Sex...................................
Age........................
Scan copy of your Working ID/ Int'l Passport.............................

Your Immediate Response is Highly needed to enable me commence for the

Online Account.

Thanks for banking with Oxford Bank while we looking forward to serving

you better.

CONGRATULATION TO YOUR INHERITANCE FUND.

Thanks and God bless you.

Best Regards,

Mr. C. James Bess
Chairman of Oxford Bank

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam