419 scam: Thomas James <test@customs.gov.kg> *Goodwill*

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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:
- "i will like you to " (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. )
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas James <test@customs.gov.kg>
Reply-To: <thomasjames4uonly1@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 17:19:21 -0600
Subject: *Goodwill*

Greetings,

I Thomas James, A British & Portuguese national is writing this email to you, I was browsing and I saw your e-mail, So i decided to write you if your e-mail is real, I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live. I am very rich, but was never generous; I have given most of my assets to my immediate family members.
I have decided to give alms to charity organizations. I cannot do this myself anymore because of my health. I once asked members of my family to give some money to charity organizations, they refused and kept the money. I have a huge cash deposit of $5.5M (Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars Only with a security company in Europe. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organizations. You will take out 30% of these funds for your assistance and give the remaining to charity organization,Churches,Motherless babies home and physical challenge people.
I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible and treats with absolute confidentiality and sincerity and i will send you pictures of me before and after the disease.

Regards,
Thomas James.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam