419 scam: "Paul Williams"<info@usa.com> Dear Friend

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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:
- "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)
- ",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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- karidadelores554@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Paul Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <tromar@onda.com.br>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2022 12:05:21 -0800
Subject: Dear Friend

I'm Delores Karida Hanif,Senior Account Executive of the Standard Chartered Bank New York Branch located here in United
States.I have been in search of someone with this last name with my late client so when i saw your contact online, I was
pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other.

I believe it is the wish of Almighty God for me to come across you now. I have an important business discussion I wish to
share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to
benefit from it.

My client Late Mr. Peter who was a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit account with my bank in 2010 for 120
calendar months, valued at US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million United State Dollars) and the due date for this deposit
contract is 2nd of January 2022. Sadly he was among the death victims in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan
that killed over 15,000 people. Is my friend and I was his account officer. Below is a link of the disastrous effect of
the earthquake in the country.

Mr Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last
week my Bank Management requested that Peter should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if he'd like to renew
the contract. I knew this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if
my Bank Directors happens to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal
use, so I don't want such to happen.

That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/
Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved for you; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are all very rich already. I am
not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start
my own charity foundation which has always been my dream. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do
accept my apology. I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter
extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I
receive your urgent response strictly through my personal Email. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest as
soon as possible via my private EMAIL :( karidadelores554@yahoo.com )and treat this information with absolute
confidentiality and sincerity. I look forward to your quick reply.

Delores K. Hanif.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam