419 scam: william brown <williambrowna@gmail.com> I need your urgent reply

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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.
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 us 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)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- williambrowna@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: william brown <williambrowna@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2017 10:13:22 -0700
Subject: I need your urgent reply

Hello Dear

I have been in search for a reliable person who will stand as the next
beneficiary of Late Eng:Gage who use to work with Gold Mining Company
in Ghana so when I saw your name I was pushed to contact you and see
how best we can assist each other regarding this transaction.

I am Mr.William Brown, i am the regional manager of HFC Bank New
Branch Ghana, I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across to
you on my search as a reliable person and who can not betrayed me when
this fund get into your account, I am having important business
discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you.

Late Eng:Gage , a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my
bank in 2004 for 36 calendar months, valued at US$18,400,000.00
(Eighteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for
this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2017 ,Sadly Gage was
among the death victims in the December 26 2016 in motor high way
Accra Ghana.

My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it
because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Mr.Gage did
not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and
Gage was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management
requested that i should give instructions on what to do about his
funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a
means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to
know that Gage is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the
funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was
why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your
Co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since
you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will
release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from any breach of law.

It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors
to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am
suggesting we share the funds, 50/50% to both parties, my share will
assist me to start my own company in your country which has been my
dream.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as
TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent
response strictly through my personal email address
williambrowna@gmail.com

We can as well discuss this on phone +233 240269180 let me know when
you will be available to speak with me on phone. Have a nice day and
God bless.

Anticipating your communication Mr.William Brown Manager of HFC Bank Accra-Ghana

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam