419 scam: John Nwosu <john------------09@att.net> From the desk of: Mr.John Williams Nwosu

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
- "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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: John Nwosu <john------------09@att.net>
Reply-To: nwosujoh@click21.com.br
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2011 02:16:29 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From the desk of: Mr.John Williams Nwosu

From the desk of: Mr.John Williams Nwosu

SPUR FIELD STANDARD BANK Plc

Plot 1662, Oyin Jolayemi Street

Victoria Island

P.M.B, 12859, Lagos

Nigeria (Rc: 146696)

Dear Friend,

I am a Branch Manager with SPUR FIELD BANK , My name is Mr.John Williams Nwosu, a Banker. I am the personal Account Manager to late Engineer David A.Overman , who used to work with shell Development Company in Nigeria. Here in after, shall be referred to as my Client On April 21/ 2007, my client, his wife, and their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagamu express way.

All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives in the process of the accident, since then I have made several inquiries to the your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives or his next of kin, this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, hence I decided to contact you.

I contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged, particularly with our bank, SPUR FIELD BANK Plc. Where the deceased has an account Valued at about ($14.7 million u.s. dollars) Since you bear the same last name with my client

The foreign remittance department of my bank has issued me a notice as the branch manager and personal account manager to the decease, to provide the next of kin. Or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now, hence , I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that this proceeds valued at ($14.7 million u.s. dollars) can be paid to you as the next of kin and we Can share the money on a mutal agreement.

Please you should understand that this transaction is a deal and should remain very confidential between you and me since I am still working with my bank.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law. You are therefore, advised to send to me your full information (as mentioned below) to enable me effect this transaction on a swift code:

(1).Your Full Name and address that will be used as Beneficiary,

(2).Your Private Telephone and Fax Numbers.

(3) Your occupation and age

On receipt of the above mentioned information, Seven (7) working days is enough for us to conclude this deal. You can get in touch with me by alternative email

immediately you receive this letter for further clarifications.

May God bless you.

Best Regards

Mr.John Williams Nwosu

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