419 scam: barclaysbankunitedkingdom62@gmail.com *****SPAM***** NEXT OF KIN

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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. )
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: barclaysbankunitedkingdom62@gmail.com
Reply-To: williamwatsonchambers@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2020 17:59:16 -0800
Subject: *****SPAM***** NEXT OF KIN

William Wilbert & Associates. Solicitors & Advocates. Dear friend, I am Ba=
rrister William Wilbert, I am the personal attorney to Mr. Charles who work=
ed for the Chevron Oil Exploration Company in Nigeria, herein after shall b=
e referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2014, my client, his wife =
and their three children were involved in a car accident along Lagos - Ibad=
an express road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there live=
s. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any o=
f my clients extended relatives. This has proved unsuccessful. I came to kn=
ow about you through an enquiry I was making in the internet, and i found o=
ut that you have the same second name with my client, which is why I have d=
ecided to contact you, in order to assist in repatriating the money and pro=
perty left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unse=
rviceable by the bank. Particularly, the ZENITH BANK NIGERIAN PLC where the=
deceased had an account valued at about US$ 49.5 Million Dollars, has issu=
ed me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confisticated=
within the next 21 official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful i=
n locating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to presen=
t you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name =
so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$49.5 Million Dollars can =
be paid to you and then you and me can share the money, on the ratio of 60%=
for me, and 40% for you. 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-oper=
ation to enable us see this business through. I guarantee that this will be=
executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any bre=
ach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my confidential email addres=
s and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss furthe=
r about the details of this transaction. Best regards, Barrister William Wi=
lbert Principal Partner William Wilbert & Associates

Anti-fraud resources:

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