419 scam: Paul Williams <smikofi1@gmail.com> CAN YOU ASSISTANCE BUSINESS?

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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.

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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)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Paul Williams <smikofi1@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ulwilliams01@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:35:55 -0700
Subject: CAN YOU ASSISTANCE BUSINESS?

Dear Friend,

This mail should not be a surprise to you,l am Barrister Paul Williams, the
Personal lawyer to the Late former Engineer with Shell International
Republic of Ghana ,Hereinafter shall be referred to as my client.

As it may interest you to know, l got your contact now in my searching for
dependable and reliable partner to champion a project. On the 21st of April
2002, my client, his wife and their two children were involve in a car
accident along kara-sokode expressway while arrival from holiday in Accra
All occupant of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating the fund valued ( Ten million
five hundred thousand united states dollars) 10,500,000.00dollars.The said
security finance firm has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or
have his account confiscated.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years
now, I seek your consent name to present as the next of kin to the deceased
since you have the same last names, there is similarity in the name,so that
proceeds of this account can be paid to you, and I come over to pick the
money in your country

Please You Should Send The Complete Address Details
(1) Your Full Name..................
(2) Contact Address.......................
(3) Direct Telephone No...............
(4) The Bank Information's of your choice where to transfer the funds
(5) Copy of your Intl` Passport or Drivers Licenses

I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is %100 risk free. On
smooth conclusion of this transaction, you will entitled to 45% of the total
sum as gratification, while 5% will be set aside to take care of expense,
and 50% will be for me.

What I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this
transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law

Sincerely I remain
Barrister Paul Williams.
Attorney ID 7740701
The Principal Partner
Unity Chambers
Solicitors & Advocates
Block 2, Flat 5, America Building
No10 Ring Road
Box 41cb ,
Accra Ghana

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam