419 scam: "Barr Eddy Paul" <eddpaul1@att.net> Re: Your Ugent Response Needed

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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:

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:
- "from the desk of" (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)
- "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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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: "Barr Eddy Paul" <eddpaul1@att.net>
Reply-To: <barreddypaul@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:17:28 +0100
Subject: Re: Your Ugent Response Needed

FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER EDDY PAUL
(UBA CHEMBERS) BOX MB 286 REPUBLIC OF BENIN.

Attn: Please and a good day to you,

I am senior Advocate Eddy Paul, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to a national of your country, who has lived in Benin City for more than ten years, and whom here after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 29th of April 2006, my Client, His wife and their Children were involved in a car accident near Benin-Togo express road. All occupants of the vehicle Unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but all efforts was in vain.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money left behind by my Client before they get confiscated or declared un-serviceable by the bank. These huge deposits were lodged particularly with Barclays Bank here in Ghana where the Deceased had an account valued USD$7.5 Million Dollars. The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated.

Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over five years. Now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued $7.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then we can both share the money 50% to me and 50% to you .I will arrange for all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we 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, but you must also agree not to disclose or pass any information related to this business to any body for security reason and to avoid eye brow. If you are in, then send me the following details so that I will begin the process.

Your Full Name and Address
Your Age
Your Occupation
Your Telephone Mobile and Fax Numbers for easier Communication.

I await your urgent response.

Regards
Barrister Eddy Paul

Anti-fraud resources:

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