419 scam: "Mr. Mike Williams" <jidepeter4@gmail.com> From United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division

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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:
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Williams" <jidepeter4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. Mike Williams" <mr.mikewilliams07@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2015 02:38:28 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division

Hello My Friend.

I â€˜m sorry to have contacted you by email but I feel its best and more convenient for me to explain why I am contacting you today.

Iâ€™m Mr. Mike Williams a United States Special investigator, I work hand in hand with the United States Fraud Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID).

Iâ€™m specialize in Background Investigations on funds which include [COMPENSATION/INHERITANCE FUNDS OR NEXT OF KIN, Consignment Box, LottoÂ® JACKPOT, LOANS] and I notice that you have being receiving numerous emails from people who claims to have funds coming to you but I advise that if youâ€™re still in communication with any of them on issue of funds, youâ€™re advise to stop every communication right now because those people has being investigated and confirmed to be a Fraud.

I wish to announce our successful investigation which was carried out few days ago, I guess it will interest you to know.

On my investigations, it was truly confirmed that you have 100% Legitimate unpaid transaction and you have every right to claim this funds as youâ€™re been confirmed to be the right Beneficiary of the said amount $8 Million usd COMPENSATION/INHERITANCE FUNDS OR NEXT OF KIN and Due to the delay of getting this funds to you, your funds has now been increased to $10.5 Million United State Dollars approved for payment by International Monetary Fund (IMF) here in United States.

I came to notice that youâ€™re not communicating with a legitimate person who is in charge of getting these funds to you.

This announcement has to be made open to you because you have truly being swindled by those unscrupulous people whom you have sent money in the course of getting one fund or the other that is not real and for this reason, I have decided Â to help Â you get your funds directly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) here in United States in which your Legitimate funds remain unpaid.

I want to know if youâ€™re interested in receiving your unpaid legitimate funds value $10.5 Million usd and I will only be of help if you agreed to follow my instructions.

Note: I will not reply back your email if youâ€™re not in your right Manners and without being skeptical or feel this is not true.

YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING IS NEEDED URGENTLY.

Please you can contact me back on my email by clicking your Reply.

Regard
Mr. Mike Williams
United States Special investigator

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam