419 scam: Director - Personal & Business banking <aibonline1@accountant.com> I Need Your Assistance.

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "huge deposit" (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 states 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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Director - Personal & Business banking <aibonline1@accountant.com>
Reply-To: bernardbyrne91@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:50:19 +1000
Subject: I Need Your Assistance.

Attention: Beneficiary,

I am sorry for contacting you through this
medium without a previous notice; I had to use
the E-mail because it is an easier and more
confidential way of making contact with people
around the world.

My name is Mr. Bernard Byrne, a banker with
Allied Irish Bank, London United Kingdom. I
happen to be the (Director - Personal & Business
banking) to the Late Eng., of your country who
used to work with Chevron-Development
Petroleum Company in London, United Kingdom.
Here in after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 11th of September 2001, my client, his
wife and their two children were involved in the
bomb blast in the United States of America; all
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their
lives. Since then I have made several inquiries
to your embassy to locate any of my clients
extended relatives.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I
decided to track his last name over the Internet,
to locate any member of his family hence I
contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in
repatriating the money and property left behind
by my client before they get confiscated or
declared not serviceable by the bank where these
huge deposits were lodged.

Particularly, the finance company where the
deceased had an account valued at about USD$
20 million United States dollars has issued me
a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated within the next Twenty-one
(21) Working official working days.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the
relatives for over 4 years now I seek your
consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased since you have the same last name so
that the proceeds of this account valued at
USD$20 million United States Dollars can be paid
to your account then you and me can share the
money 60% to me and 30% to you and 10% will
be mapped for any upfront expenses.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be
used to back up any claim we may make. All I
require is your honest cooperation to enable us
seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement
that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Get back to me and send to me your full name,
telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss
further about this transaction.

Best regards,
Mr. Bernard Byrne

Anti-fraud resources:

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