419 scam: Barrister William Nii Ofori <barristerniiofori@gmail.com> Dear Friend,

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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:

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. )
- "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)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million pounds" (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: Barrister William Nii Ofori <barristerniiofori@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2015 10:43:32 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear Friend,

William Solicitors & Advocates,

Accra, GHANA

Compliment

Dear Friend,

I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me. My name is Barrister Smith Wilson a legal practitioner and the personal Attorney to late Mr. Matthew Clifford a citizen of your country who died in the Philippine typhoon which killed about 5,700 people including his wife Mrs. Anne on the 7 Nov 2013 (May their soul rest in peace). I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to the embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but this has proved unsuccessful.

You can confirm this from the website below which was published by

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24906181?

I only did so to be double sure of this fact. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged, particularly in the Unity Trust Bank London UK where the deceased had an account valued at about GBP Â£10.5 Million Pounds, The bank has issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up for the claim, the account will be confiscated if not claimed.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over a year now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are the same country with him so that the proceeds of this account valued at GBP Â£10.5 Million Pounds can be paid into your nominated bank account as the Heir and then you and me can share the money in the mode. 50% shall be for me and 45% for you and 5a shall be map out for expenses that have been made within the process of the transfer.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Please your telephone and fax number urgently needed for further discussion. I look forward to your urgent response

Best regards,
Barrister William Nii

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