419 scam: BILL SMALLWOOD <wnoffori20@gmail.com> CAN I PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY TO THE VAULT OF MY LATE CLIENT.

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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:
- "million united state 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: BILL SMALLWOOD <wnoffori20@gmail.com>
Reply-To: billsmallwood907@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2017 00:40:20 -0800
Subject: CAN I PRESENT YOU AS THE BENEFICIARY TO THE VAULT OF MY LATE CLIENT.

Hello,

I am Mr. Bill Smallwood, a Bank Officer here in U.A.E. I believe it is the
wish of God for me to come across you now. I am having an important
business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest
you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to
benefit from it.

One Late Peter a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank
in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US $30,000,000.00 (Thirty
Million United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was
last 22nd of January 2014. Sadly Peter was among the death victims in the
May 27 2006 Earthquake disaster

in Java, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a
business trip and that was how he met his end. 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. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the
account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my
Bank Management requested that Peter 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 Peter 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 equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will
assist me to start my own company 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,

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

Anticipating your communication. E-mail;

Mr. Bill Smallwood.
Bank Officer,
U.A.E.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam