419 scam: "James Williams"<jameswilliamss@yandex.com> Attn: My Good Friend

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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:
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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 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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "James Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedexcourier.servicecompany@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:58:29 +0100
Subject: Attn: My Good Friend

Attn: My Good Friend,

Good day, how are you today? .I am writing to inform you that I have Paid the fee for your Cheque. And I went to the bank to confirm if the Cheque has expired and Mr.Ahmed Zafa, the Director of Financial Trust Bank told me that before the cheque will get to your hand that it will surely expire.

So I told him to cash the $4,500,000.00(Four Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in cash payment to avoid losing this fund. However, all the necessary arrangement for the delivery of the $4,500,000.00 in cash was made with FedEx Courier Company Ltd here in Cotonou Benin Republic.

Mr.Ahmed Zafa the Director of Financial Trust Bank Cotonou has to package the sum of $4,500,000.00 USD in cash. Then he also agreed to help us to register the Consignment with FedEx Courier Company. Infact, I thank God very much for all the movement I made, ever thing went on successfully.

As for our agreement with the FedEx Courier Company, they promised that your consignment will leave this Country on Wednesday this week, But the Director of the FedEx Courier COMPANY said that they need your contacts information’s to enable them meet up with you immediately the Diplomatic Agent arrived to your Country. Please write a letter of application to the given address below.

ATTN: Dr.Jerry Cook

EMAIL: fedexcourier.servicecompany@yandex.com

Please, Send them your contacts information to enable them locate you immediately they arrived in your country with your BOX .This is what they need from you.

1. YOUR FULL NAME.

2. YOUR HOME ADDRESS.

3. YOUR CURRENT HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER.

4. YOUR CURRENT OFFICE TELEPHONE.

5. A COPY OF YOUR PICTURE.

6. YOUR AGE.

Please make sure you send this needed information to the Director General of FedEx Courier COMPANY Dr.Jerry Cook with the address given to you. Note, the FedEx Courier COMPANY doesn’t know the contents of the Box. I registered it as a BOX of an Africa cloth. They don't know it contains money. This is to avoid them delaying with the BOX. So don't let them know that it is money that is in that Box. I am waiting for your urgent response.

Thanks and Remain Blessed,

Best Regards,

James Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam