419 scam: "Mr.Kenneth Williams"<attbsn@gmail.com> THIS CONCERNS YOUR DECEASED RELATIVE

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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:
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2348138481784
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.
- mydeskkw@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Kenneth Williams" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mydeskkw@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:01:22 -0000
Subject: THIS CONCERNS YOUR DECEASED RELATIVE

Number 25 Maitama street,
Garki Abuja
Tel Number: +234 8138481784
Private email:mydeskkw@gmail.com

Attention Relative

With all due respect my names are Kenneth Williams, a citizen of France by birth. I am an Attorney for Central Bank of Nigeria and also personal financial adviser to your late relative.
Sequel to the meeting held on 20th March, 2012. I write to inform you that on behalf of the Bank and federal Government, I have been authorized to contact you for your inheritance payment of Eight Million, Five Hundred thousand Dollars which was deposited by your late Relative, with Central Bank of Nigeria.
First of all i want you to understand the situation of things here.

Over the years i have been here i have come to see that a lot of foreigners conduct a lot of business here but it is a pity that some of them when they die leave their investments, money even estates unattended. Though this might not have been their intentions but usually there is not one of their immediate relative living with them here which makes it difficult to contact them to let them know of their late relative's investment left behind after his/her death. It is very sad that usually the money, Estate or investments are later put to government use or for something else. i am contacting you today because such is the case at hand now regards your relative. As an Attorney here and also personal financial adviser to the Deceased I have done my research and together with the help of reliable sources i can say all effort have not been in vain to locate the relative of the deceased. So please do not be alarmed as how you were contacted.

The Nigerian Government through the Federal High court of Justice has given you an Identification Code Number: ID300/0X10/ATB also your file has been forwarded to the Director Telex department, Central Bank of Nigeria, for onward Crediting of your nominated account which you may provide for this transfer, with this code Number: ID300/0X10/ATB, the Paying bank, will process your payment file as soon as they receive your information as the relative and beneficiary to your late
Relative.

Note that due to issues of scams and that has tarnished the image of the country because of some greedy individuals, the transaction is being forwarded to CITI BANK LONDON which is where it will be concluded. This is for your confidence and satisfaction.

For me to proceed i will require the following bellow, from you: (PLEASE ALL SHOULD BE CURRENT)

{A} your full name and address
{B} telephone and fax number.
{C} age and occupation.

Further clarification will be provided upon your response.
Note that in response to this message kindly attach the identification code you were given as this signifies that you are in understanding with the contents of the message.
Also should you want to contact the Bank directly, you will not be given any audience and will be disregarded as this is for security measures.

I wait to hear from you.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Williams.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam