419 scam: "DAVID WEST & ASSOCIATES"<davidwest@movmail.com> RE: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
- "my direct telephone number" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348096626473 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- solicitor.advocator@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "DAVID WEST & ASSOCIATES" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <solicitor.advocator@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:41:46 -0000
Subject: RE: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

DAVID WEST & ASSOCIATES

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Legal Practitioner/Solicitors & Advocators of Law

Idowu Taylor Street Victoria Island.

Direct Tel: +234-809-662-6473

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the Estate of my late client, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you returned undelivered. I

hereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address partaking the WILL, on the 27th January 2003, my client, his wife and their only Child were

involved in the Ikeja bomb explosion, For reference, please visit this site:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm My client and his family

unfortunately lost their lives as they were living very close to the Army barracks where it started.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank valued at $2

Million (Two Million Dollars) my client also had $1.5 Million (One Million Five Hundred thousand Dollars) deposited in security firm in London, as he

operated a dual business venture which makes a total deposit valued at $3.5million dollars lodged. Both the bank and security firm in London has issued me a

notice to contact the next of kin as his personal attorney or the funds will be confiscated. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real

and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or possibly you were simply recommended to him by one of his

numerous friends abroad who wished you good.

Until his death, my deceased client was a member of the Institute for Philanthropy as well other Recognized Organizations and associations worldwide. He had

a very good heart and was a true philanthropist. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time, His WILL is now ready for execution.

According to him this money is to support humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needy in your society.

Please if I succeed in reaching you this time around as I am hoping, kindly endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I

hope to hear from you in no distant time either through E-mail: solicitor.advocator@gmail.com or my Direct Telephone Number: +234-803-361-8437.

Sincerely yours,

DAVID WEST (ESQ.)

PRINCIPAL PARTNER

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Legal Practitioner/Solicitors & Advocators of Law

Idowu Taylor Street Victoria Island.

Direct Tel: +234-809-662-647

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam