419 scam: "Mr David Williams," <mrdavidwilliams97@gmail.com> Greetings 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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mrdavidwilliams97@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr David Williams," <mrdavidwilliams97@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2023 05:15:44 +0100
Subject: Greetings Dear Friend,

Greeting dear friend,

Please I want you to read this letter very carefully and I must
apologize for bringing this message into your mail box without any
formal introduction due to the urgency and confidential of this issue
and I know that this message will come to you as a surprise. Please
this is not a joke and I did not want you to joke with it.

My Name Is Mr. David Williams, Executive Director & Exchange Manager
of Africa Development Bank In Ouagadougou Burkina Faso,

I need your assistance to validate your name in our Bank System to
enable the Bank transfer the sum of $10.5Million unclaimed fund into
your nominated bank account for onward investment (Hotel industries
and Estate building management) or any profitable business in your
country and I will give you 50%, for your assistance.

Please note very Importantly that you can only get me through by my
private email Enclosed here (mrdavidwilliams97@gmail.com) As i wait
for your urgent reply to this little details enlcosed here,

1)Your Complete Name...............

2)Your Age.........................

3)Your Residence Address...........

4)Your correct phone numbers.......

5)Your Occupation ........

6)Your Nationality.................

7)Your Marital Status.............

Thanks with my best regards.

From. Mr.David Williams,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam