419 scam: FRANK WILLIAMS <frankwilliams112@hotmail.com> 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:
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: FRANK WILLIAMS <frankwilliams112@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <frankwilliams113@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 09:21:13 -0300
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE.

DATE: 25TH MAY, 2011

Good day,

With my pains, I need your sincerity to execute this transaction with you
in utmost good faith and trust. I am Barrister Frank Williams, a Solicitor
-At - Law and the personal attorney to a citizen of your country,who worked
with Shell Development Company Niger Delta State, Nigeria.

I am contacting you due to the urgency this demands. My client died in a
militant hostage with the entire family of three (3) because of his
disobedience as an expatraite to obey with their demands in Bonny Crude oil
extractions. He had a very huge deposit in a bank here and no one to make
claims because the next of kin is needed to make the claims.

I seek your permission to have you stand as the "next of kin" to him.I
will give you details on your notice of interest to assist.

I remain in contact,

Sincerely yours,

Frank Williams Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam