419 scam: Akim Bello <worldbankteams@gmail.com> Please contact my secretary ok

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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)
- "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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- williamsobiorah23@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Akim Bello <worldbankteams@gmail.com>
Reply-To: williamsobiorah23@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2022 02:04:26 -0800
Subject: Please contact my secretary ok

Dear friend,

Due to my tight schedules I could not contact you earlier before
now.I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds
transferred under the cooperation of a new partner. Presently I'm in
Dubai, for an Investment Projects with my own share of the total
sum.Meanwhile, I did not forget your past efforts and attempts to
assist me in transferring those funds despite that it failed us some
how and I am sorry for what happened.
Now contact my secretary in Lagos Nigeria his name is:
Barrister.Williams Obiorah.
Email address:( williamsobiorah23@gmail.com )

Tell him to send you the ATM Master Card, a total sum of US$2 million
dollars which I kept for your compensation for all your past efforts
and attempts to assist me in this transaction, which was applied in
your name I appreciated your efforts at that time so much. Now get in
contact with my secretary.Barrister Williams Obiorah and instruct him
where to send the ATM Master Card to you. Please do let me know
immediately you receive the ATM Master Card for us to share the joy
together after our past efforts at that time. At this moment, I am
very busy here because of the investment projects which my new partner
and I are having at hand.

Finally, remember I have forwarded instruction to Barrister Williams,
on your behalf for him to send you your ATM Master Card.

Best regards,
Akim Bello

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam