419 scam: "Wilford Attorneys & Associates"<advjohnwilford@gmail.com> Andrew Richards Will

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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- gweassociates@onet.pl (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Wilford Attorneys & Associates"<advjohnwilford@gmail.com>
Reply-To: gweassociates@onet.pl
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2021 22:10:36 +0200
Subject: Andrew Richards Will

Dear Beneficiary,
I write to inform you that the Estate of Late Mr. Andrew Richard is ready for execution.
Late Mr. Andrew Richard died of Corona Virus on the 16th day of February 2020 at the age of 71.
Before his death, He was a great Philanthropist and one of the highest financier of the United Nations Aids to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. He also made donations to the Red Cross Society and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
My Late Client Mr. Andrew Richard informed me that during one of his Philanthropic trip abroad he met someone who recommended you to him as an individual who is above board and who he can trust to carry on with his philanthropic work.
It's my pleasure to inform you that late Mr. Andrew Richard made you a beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will.
According to the will, you are to use 5 million dollars for charity work in your country which you can donate to any orphanage, disabled and elderly people home of your choice.
You are to keep 5 million for your personal and family use.
You are thus required to provide me with the following details to enable me process the documents in your name at the high court so I can procure the necessary document so the bank can release the fund to you with immediate effect.
Please email to me your full name, Age, Occupation, Telephone, City and Country.
Once I receive this information, I will process the document and send to you so the bank can release the fund to you.
Please reply to me on gweassociates@onet.pl
Regards,
Advocate John Greg Wilford
+27656308135

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam