419 scam: "William Brown" <jayanta@aji-group.com> PLEASE READ AND RESPOND SOON !!

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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:
- "search for a reliable person" (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)
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.
- +2348126516663
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.
- wb.mensah@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "William Brown" <jayanta@aji-group.com>
Reply-To: WB.mensah@aol.com
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 2015 19:08:44 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: PLEASE READ AND RESPOND SOON !!

Hello,

How are you doing today, I have been in search for a reliable person who
will stand as the next of kin and beneficiary of a Late customer and an
engineer (name withheld) who use to work with Gold Mining Company in Ghana
but sadly lost his life in year 2000.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/859479.stm)

I am Mr.William Brown Mensah, the regional manager of HFC Bank New Branch
Ghana, a deceased customer with my bank had a fixed deposit made and
valued at US$6,400,000 (Six Million, Four Hundred Thousand united states
dollars only), the due date for this deposit contract has long been
overdue.

He did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened and
all effort to locate any extended relative was futile. Last week my Bank
Management requested that i should give instructions on what to do about
his funds, if to renew the contract or turn it to state treasury as
unclaimed deposit. It will be better to present you as the next of kin and
the rightful beneficiary of the funds in the account, I will provide you
with all the necessary legal backing that is required until this money is
paid out to you and then we shall disburse same based on our agreement
(MOU).

If you find yourself able to work with me, contact me through my private
email account ''WB.mensah@aol.com'' or private telephone number below and
with your positive response, I will initiate the process towards a swift
and smooth conclusion. I wish to inform you that should you contact me via
official channels; I will deny knowing you and any knowledge about this
project. I do not want you contacting me through my official phone lines
nor do I want you contacting me through my official email account. I do
not want any direct link between you and me to be obvious since I
personally handled the affairs of my late client (name withheld) until his
demise, My official lines are not secure lines as they are periodically
monitored to assess our level of customer care in line with our Total
Quality Management Policy (TQMP).

Do respond quick if you are interested or should you need further
clarification because we have no much time left and please let us keep
this project as top confidential.

Have a nice day!

Mr.William B. Mensah
Manager, HFC Bank Accra-Ghana
Secured Private # +234 812 651 6663
# +233 260991525
Private email: WB.mensah@aol.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam