419 scam: "Benjamin Aku"<benakuchambers1@gmail.com> FROM BENJAMIN AKU & ASSOCIATES

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "benakuchambers@9.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- benakuchambers@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Benjamin Aku" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benakuchambers@9.cn>
Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 14:13:54 +0200
Subject: FROM BENJAMIN AKU & ASSOCIATES

(BENJAMIN AKU-ENWEBE & ASSOCIATE CHAMBERS)

DES AMBASSADE RUE 01BP 52

COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN

Tel; +299 982 81 583

Email; benakuchambers@9.cn

Assets of my deceased client {Engineer Michael Toit}

Dear friend,

I am highly esteemed to write you this proposal; I am Mr. Benjamin Aku-Enwebe, a solicitor and personal attorney to the above client of mine, An Engineer with SONACOP Company Plc. Engr. Toit and his wife Dr. Christiana Toit were involved in a car accident which has claimed life of four people dead including Engr Toit and his wife, along Porto-Novo Express way. Engr. Toit has left me the responsibility of Locating and transferring the sum of US$13.4 million he left for his only son, according to his will. Since then I have made several inquiries to locate his son, only to realize that the son died of drug abuse two years ago.

Purpose of my letter to you is that, the bank where Engr Toit is banking has issued me with a notice as the attorney to the deceased to provide next of kin of Engr. Toit or the account will be suspended indefinitely within the next 41 official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating any of the deceased's heirs over the years, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased so that the account would not be confiscate.

As the personal attorney, I have decided to contact you to assist in transferring the money left behind by my client to your bank account before they will confiscated or declared unserviceable by his bank. I have all the necessary legal documents that will be used to back up the claim.

All I require from you is your honest co-operation to enable us see this arrangement through. I guarantee that this arrangement will be executed under a legitimate banking procedure and the provision of the laws concerning inheritance fund will be strictly adhered to, this will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please, contact me via my private email; benakuchambers@yahoo.com if you are interesting to help, I will guide you on what next to does.

God bless.

I wait your urgent reply for a verbal discussion.

Best regards

Mr. Benjamin Aku-Enwebe

Senior Advocate of Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam