419 scam: "Gary Mitchell Ward"<trial@trialinteractive.com> Request to Serve as Next of Kin

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Gary Mitchell Ward" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wgary1854@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2023 17:08:28 -0600
Subject: Request to Serve as Next of Kin

Dear Friend,

I am writing to you on behalf of one of our customers who unfortunately Deceased due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in 2020. At the time of his death, he had no living relatives and as such, As a result of that, I am requesting that you consider standing in as the next of kin so that his inheritance (US$30M) may be distributed to you according to the terms of his will. This is an important decision for both parties and I am assuring you it would be done with the utmost respect, care, and discretion. I understand that this is something not everyone is comfortable with, and I am willing to take it on with your help. That's why I suggest that we divide the fund 60% for you and 40% for me in exchange for your time and effort if necessary. I believe that this is a fair and equitable solution which will benefit both of us. Also, be assured that your identity will remain confidential at all times throughout the process. If you're interested in this idea, please let me know so that w
e can discuss further det

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,
Gary Mitchell Ward

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam