419 scam: John H Watt <johnwattconsultsofficer@googlemail.com> You Have Been Appointed?

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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.

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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 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)
- ",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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: John H Watt <johnwattconsultsofficer@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: johnwattseniorconsultantofficer@bancogulf.com
Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 11:37:03 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: You Have Been Appointed?

Good Day,

I am aware that this is an unconventional way of relaying an important message such as this. I did try without success to locate your contact address.

JH&W Consults Inc, London, United Kingdom; is a Private Investigators, Security Consultants and Financial Managers. Presently, JH&W Consults Inc is conducting a standard process investigation/Recommendation on behalf of European Union Investment Private Bank London(EUIPB), The European Investment Banking Conglomerate, thus will be referred to as our client.

This investigation involves an account holder (Name Withheld) who bears same surname with you and the circumstances surrounding his investments at EUIPB Invest Account, the Investment Banking arm of European Union Investment Private Bank. The EUIPB Private Investment client died intestate and nominated no successor in title over his investments made at the bank amounting to over SEVEN MILLION US Dollars (US$7,000,000.00). The essence of this communiqué is to request that you provide us information/comments on any or all of the four issues as regards appointing you to inherit the fund left behind by this client.

Your answers and response(s) to these questions raised below will determine our recommendation to the EUIPB towards legally appointing you to inherit this investment fund hence certified investigation has yielded results showing that there are no known relations of the deceased client.

1-Are you aware of any relative/relation born on the 2nd of February 1951, who bears your same surname whose last known contact address was Republic of Angola.

2-Are you aware of any investment of considerable value made by such a person at the Investment Banking Division of EUIPB Bank Group?

3-Can you confirm your willingness to accept this inheritance if you are legally and legitimately appointed.

4-Would you agree to donate part of this inheritance to charity if you are officially approved to stand as the inheritor?

Please understand that we are constrained from providing you with more detailed information at this point. It is pertinent that you inform us whether or not you are familiar with this personality or and your interest towards the issues mentioned.

Upon your response, our senior consultant Officer will contact you with more detailed information on the deceased client and the process of nominating you to inherit his wealth.

Your Faithful,

Mr. John H. Watts
JH&W Consults Inc
234 Regent Street
Mayfair, London, W1B 2EL,
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 871 54 9889

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam