419 scam: "MR. WILLIAM OFFORI"<w.f40@att.net> I Need Your Assistance.

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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)
- "mobilization fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "huge deposit" (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: "MR. WILLIAM OFFORI" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williamnii@kimo.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2012 19:07:47 -0700
Subject: I Need Your Assistance.

Dear Friend,

I am William Nii Offori.(Esq., solicitor and personal lawyer to late Mrs. Sharon Maria Khan, a client of mine, who has a servicing firm affiliated with the National Port Authority here in Accra, Ghana.

She was awarded a contract worth (US$28,850,000.00). Immediately this contract was signed, an initial amount of (US$11.850,000.00) was paid to her as mobilization fee to kick off the contract. She duly completed this contract pending when her remaining balance of (US$17,850,000.00) will be paid to her.

On the 7th June 2008, my client, her husband and their two kids were involved in a ghastly boat capsize at Labadi Beach. Unfortunately, all the occupants in the boat lost their lives. Not too long after her untimely death, her outstanding balance of S$17,850,000.00 was approved and deposited in a Bank here.

Right now the funds are still floating unclaimed in the suspense account of the offshore correspondence payment centre here. I have reasoned very professionally and I feel it will be legally proper to present you as the next of kin of my deceased client, so that we can be paid the remaining balance of her contract funds left in the Bank, hence I contacted you.

I am offering you this opportunity by contacting you to assist in repatriating the fund and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit were lodged. The National Port Authority issued me a notice as the Attorney to the deceased to provide the Next of Kin or have the Account confiscated in a shot period of time since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 3 years plus that I have been searching.

I seek your concept to present you as the Next of Kin or family member to the deceased since you are at an advantage, since you are a foreigner, so that the proceeds of this remaining balance of her contract funds valued at US$17,850,000.00) can be paid to you. We shall both share the funds, we will agree on the sharing ratio as we proceed, As certain amount will be for any in cured expenses and for donation to charitable organizations.

I have all the necessary Legal Documents that will be used to back up any claim we may make, all I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this project through, I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law after the transfer is done, and then you and l can share the fund.

Best personal regards,

Mr. William Nii Offori (Esq.
+233240416247

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