419 scam: "James Williams"<jameswilliams.dmeoffice1@gmail.com> I tried to reach you several times, please reply

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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:
- "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)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +27785971848 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- jameswilliams.dmeoffice@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "James Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jameswilliams.dmeoffice@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:14:39 +0200
Subject: I tried to reach you several times, please reply

FROM: Engr. James Williams
DIRECT TEL NO: 27 78 597 1848
EMAIL: jameswilliams.dmeoffice@gmail.com

Good day,

I write, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to tune of Fourteen
Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$14.5m) which we want
kept safely overseas under your supervision.

In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf.
The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm
by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to
the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said
amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.

Currently, I work as a Projects Manager at the Department of Minerals & Energy
here in Pretoria. I have the authority and approval of my Partners involved in
this transaction to negotiate a suitable compensation for your participation
and I propose 25% percent, while we also propose that we receive 70 percent
and 5% percent be earmarked for purposes of taxation.

This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it
with the utmost discretion. You are advised to reach me through my Private
email address: (jameswilliams.dmeoffice@gmail.com) or via my Direct telephone
number +27-78-597-1848 for further clarifications. Please send your phone,
fax number and your full name/address.

I kindly wait to hear from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Engr. James Williams
Tel: +27 78 597 1848

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam