419 scam: "Pastor George J. Williams"<root@storkcad.com> REMIT WITHHELD FUND.

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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.
- +2299125478 (Benin, probably a 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.
- pastor.georgejwilliams1@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Pastor George J. Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pastor.georgejwilliams1@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 16:16:30 +0100
Subject: REMIT WITHHELD FUND.

UBA United Bank.
HEAD OFFICE STALLION PLAZA
Attention: Pastor George J. Williams
Email: pastor.georgejwilliams1@hotmail.com
Direct Tel: +229-9125478
REMIT WITHHELD FUND
In complying with the directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance to pay your inheritance/contract/lottery sum of $1,200,000 USD. An ATM Card Number: 5120 8156 1062 5647 worth USD$1,200,000 has been approved by the UBA United Bank as part payment of your claim held by the Ministry.
In view of the payment approval issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) in your favour, we request you fill out the information for verification and immediate release of your ATM card.

1.Full Name:___
2.Delivery Address (not postal address):___
3:Phone number:__
4.Occupation:__
5.Gender:___
6.Age:__

The delivery of your atm card will proceed upon completion of the verification/authentication process. Bear in mind that you will pay the courier service/insurance ($240) charge being the amount needed to courier your ATM card to your address. This is necessitated because we are not authorized to make deductions from your funds. This is the case only when you cannot come to our above office address to pick your ATM card in person.
Your atm card will be at your address within 72hrs of receipt of the courier service charge of $240 needed to courier your ATM card to your address. Please note that you have a 7days period to comply with this request, after which non-compliance will attract declaration of your ATM card as unclaimed and funds reverted to the government treasury.
Please help us to serve you better.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor George J. Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam