419 scam: "James Williams"<governor_obas@yahoo.com> Greeting: I Need Your Assistance

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- jw138827@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "James Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jw138827@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2014 14:53:00 -0000
Subject: Greeting: I Need Your Assistance

Dear Friend,

it is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. I got your reference in my search for someone who suits my proposed business relationship.

I am Mr. James Williams, a banker by profession in Accra Ghana and currently holding the post of Director Auditing and Accounting unit of my bank. I have an obscured business suggestion for you. I will need you to assist me in executing a business project from Ghana to your country. It involves the transfer of a large sum of money. Everything concerning this transaction shall be legally done without hitch. Please Endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account, we shall share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us.

I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below (jw138827@gmail.com) and finally after that I shall furnish you with more information's about this operation and kindly provide your full details below:

Name:

Phone number:

Fax number:

Passport ID card:

Country:

Occupation:

Home address:

Please if you are not interested delete this email and do not hunt me because I am putting my career and the life of my family at stake with this venture. Although nothing ventured is nothing gained.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Best Regards,
Mr. James Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam