419 scam: Jefferson Williams <tomandersononline@gmail.com> URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED

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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)
- "a security company " (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. )
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.
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.
- jeffersonwilliams629@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Jefferson Williams <tomandersononline@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jeffersonwilliams629@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 13:26:53 -0700
Subject: URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED

Dear friend,

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet met. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains. As you read this, I do not want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Jefferson Williams, from the USA, I own a Gold minning company in Ghana. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defied all forms of medicine and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe if I get a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in Africa, London and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and donate the money, which I have there to charity organization in America, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them. The last of my money which is the huge cash deposit that I have with a Security Company in Ghana. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I Jefferson Williams that is making this generous donation.

I don't need any phone communication because of my health and the presence of my relatives arround me always but I will give you the contact of the company when I receive your reply.

I am writing this from my laptop computer in my hospital bed where I wait for my time to come. I hope that you support and assist me with good heart.

Contact email: jeffersonwilliams629@yahoo.com

Thanks as I await your reply,

Jefferson Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam