419 scam: "Ben"<williamsjohnson1965@live.com> PLEASE READ COMPLETELY

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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:
- "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)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ben" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnson_williams@live.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:00:16 -0000
Subject: PLEASE READ COMPLETELY

Hello Sequeira
I have been in search of a foreigner that bear this name Sequeira
and when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other in this business, Meanwhile, I am Mr Johnson Williams, Chief corporate banking with a reputable bank here in( B. O. G.) I write you this proposal in good faith, believing that I can trust you with the information I am about to reveal to you.

I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On March 15, 2004, an Iraqi Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with the CHEVRON PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Mohammed Sequeira
,made a fixed deposit with my bank in 2004 for 60 calendar months, valued at US$18,400,000.00the mature date for this deposit contract was this 30th of October 2009. Sadly he was among the death victims in the May 27 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people.. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer.

Mohammed did not mention any Next of Kin/Heir when the account was opened. He told me that he was married with two children but he lost his entire family member during Gulf war. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds as his account officer, if to renew the contract. I know 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 Mohammed 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 is why I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin to the account and my bank headquarters will release the account to you.

There is no risk involved; 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 rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/40% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP
SECRET. And please kindly get back to me with this Email address we shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response. Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your communication.

Regards,
Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam