419 scam: "William Scott"<ai650157001@gmail.com> A Corporate Business Offer

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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:
- "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. )
- "million us 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "10% will be kept aside for expenses" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "can i trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "William Scott" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <william.scott963@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2016 15:59:40 +0100
Subject: A Corporate Business Offer

Hi ,

    My name is William Scott, i am an American soldier, i am serving in

    the military of the 1st Armored Division in Afghanistan, we have just been

    posted to leave Afghanistan to Sudan without prior notice. I am now in Sudan

    at the mean time, I and my superior moved funds seized from Taliban Fighters, the

    total is $10,000,000.00 (Ten million US dollars in two Boxes ) this money is

    being kept safe with a security company and the company has informed us if their

    decision to close operations in Afghanistan.

    Basically since we are working for the government we cannot keep these

    funds,but we want to transfer and move the funds to you, so that you

    can keep it for us in your safe account or an offshore account or cash at home in the private safe.

    We will divide the total funds in three ways, since we are 3 that is involved.

    This means that you will take 30%, I will take 30% ,and my superior will take 30%.

    10% will be kept aside for expenses.This business is confidential, and it should not be     discussed with anyone.

    There is no risk involved whatsoever. If you are interested i will send

    you the full information you should have, MY PASSPORT, PHOTOS AND DIRECT NUMBER my job is     to    find a good     partner that we can trust and that will assist us. Can i trust you? When you receive this

    letter,kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most

    confidential telephone/fax numbers for quick communication also your contact details.

    This business is risk free.

    Respectfully submitted

    Sgt. William Scott

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam