419 scam: "Benson J. Frinpong" <email@contacts.com> Seeking Your Cooperation.

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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)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Benson J. Frinpong" <email@contacts.com>
Reply-To: bensonfrinpongesq@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:42:59 -0400
Subject: Seeking Your Cooperation.

Frinpong Associates & Chambers.
Solicitors & Advocates,
Accra - Ghana.

Compliment.

Dear Friend,

I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter but it was
borne out of desperation and current development, Please bear with me my name
is Benson J. Frinpong a legal practitioner and the personal Attorney to late
Mr. Michael Harris who died in Air France plane which disappeared over the
Atlantic Ocean with his wife Mrs. Anne on the 31 May 2009 with other 216
passengers on board (May their soul rest in peace).I know that my client had
no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to their embassy to
locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has provide unsuccessful.

You can confirm this from the website below which was published by

BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8077858.stm

I only did so to be double sure of this fact. I have 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 and security company
where these huge deposits were lodged, particularly in the Bank where the
deceased had an account valued at about $3.5 Million Dollars, The bank and
security company has issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin
comes up for the claim, the account will be confiscated if not claimed and we
have just about few months.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over years now I
seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that
the proceeds of this account valued at US$3.5 Million Dollars can be paid into
your nominated bank account and then you and me can share the money in the
mode. 60% shall be for me and 35% for you and 5% shall be map out for expanse
that are being made within the transfer.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we
may make. All I require is your honest co-operation 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.

Please your contact Telephone# and most conducive time to be reached on phone
for further discussion. I look forward to your urgent response.

Best regards,
Benson J. Frinpong, Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam