419 scam: "Barrister Felix Boateng Esq."<fboat@mail.com> LATE. MICHAEL HARRIS.

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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:

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)
- "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 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.)
- "chambers" (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 Felix Boateng Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <felixboateng@zoho.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:06:43 +0100
Subject: LATE. MICHAEL HARRIS.

Boateng Associates & Chambers.
Solicitors & Advocates,
Accra - Ghana.

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 Felix Boateng, a legal practitioner and the personal Attorney to late Mr. Michael Harrais who died in Air France plane which disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean were 58 Brazilians and 61 French nationals, airline officials said along With his wife Mrs. Anne on the 31st May 2009 Air France plane with other 216 passengers on board (May their soul rest in peace). I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several inquiries to their 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

BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8077858.stm

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 Stanbic Bank Ghana where the deceased had an account valued at about $25 Million Dollars, 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 and we have just about few months.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$25 Million Dollars can be paid into your nominated bank account and then you and I can share the money in the mode. 60% shall be for me and 35% for you and 5% shall be map out for expense that are being made within the transfer.

I have all necessary legal documents that can be use as backup for this transaction, 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 Felix Boateng Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam