419 scam: "Bar. N. Williams" <info_nwanneri@lawfirm.net> I am pleased to contact you.

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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:
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22969198890 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- barrnwanneri@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Bar. N. Williams" <info_nwanneri@lawfirm.net>
Reply-To: "Mr. Nwaneri Williams" <barrnwanneri@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2019 22:28:20 +0100
Subject: I am pleased to contact you.

Dear Sir,
=

Do accept my sincere apologies if my mail does not meet your personal ethic=
s. May I briefly introduce myself to you, My name is Mr. Nwaneri Williams w=
ith a law chambers here in Benin Republic =

=

However, though it may surprise you receiving this letter from me since the=
re has been no previous correspondence between us, nevertheless I am please=
d to contact you with regard to my late client, Who died along with his ent=
ire family on 25th December 2003 in a plane crash. =

=

As a matter of fact, before the untimely death of my client, he made a fixe=
d deposit of the total sum of $6Million US-Dollars, with his bank here in B=
enin Rep; I was his legal advising counselor on the deposited fund and othe=
r issues, in which I was issued with a Power of Attorney duly endorsed in t=
he High Court of Justice when the fund deposit was made. =

=

Consequently, being the personal attorney to my late client, the bank has i=
ssued me a notice to provide the next of kin to my late client for the fund=
to be released to him/her, or they may have his account closed and fund co=
nfiscated into the bank or government treasury. This, I have unsuccessfully=
made several attempts and contacts to locate any of my clients extended re=
latives, but still to no avail. =

=

However, since you and my late client has the same last name, I solicit to =
nominate you as the next of kin / relative to my deceased client for the cl=
aim and transfer of the fund into your bank account through my arrangement =
and directives which is very legal and secured as I will guide you accordin=
gly in following up all the required process in a very professional manner =
and confidentiality whereby we will obtain the legal document required =

in backing up the claim and release of the fund to you promptly without any=
breach of law. =

=

You accept to carry out this project with me, I will offer you 40% of the t=
otal sum, while I will take 60% of the total sum. Upon your acceptance to d=
o this deal with me, we will jointly effect the transfer within eight worki=
ng days. This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund =
is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or=
any other illegal act. On your interest, let me hear from you, along with =
below information. =

=

(1) YOUR NAME:...................... =

(2) YOUR ADDRESS:................... =

(3) YOUR TELEPHONE .................. =

(4) AGE............................ =

(5) SEX:............................ =

(6) YOUR OCCUPATION................ =

=

Please do contact me immedietly =

=

Barr. Nwaneri Williams =

Tell: +229 69198890 =

Email: barrnwanneri@yahoo.com =

BARRISTER NWANNERI CHAMBERS =

Maro-Militaire close, =

Airport Road, B.P. 2461 Cotonou

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam