419 scam: PATRICK LINZ & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM <info@lawfirm.com> NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

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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:
- "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.
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.
- +447011121118 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447075055785 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- barr_patricklinz@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: PATRICK LINZ & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM <info@lawfirm.com>
Reply-To: barr_patricklinz@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:51:54 +0100 (CET)
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

BARRISTERS' CHAMBERS;
PATRICK LINZ & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM
Email:barr_patricklinz@hotmail.com
Address;17-18 Rex House Regent
Street London SW1Y 4PE,
United Kingdom
TEL: +44 701112 1118
FAX: +44-707-505-5785

NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.David Peet

I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter was returned
undelivered.Ihereby attempt to reach you again by this same email address
stated on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Engr. David Peet made you a
beneficiary to his WILL.
He left the sum of Seven Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars
(USD$7,100.000.00 )
to you in the codicil and lasttestament to his WILL.
Engr. David Peet until his death was a member of the Helicopter Society and the
Institute of Electronic & Electrical Engineers. He was a very dedicated
Christian who loved to be involved in charitable projects.His great
philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his life time.
Late Engr. David Peet died on the 13th day of February, 2006 at the age of 70
years,
and his WILL is now ready for execution.According to him this money is
to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the needyin our
society. Please if I reach you this time as I am hopeful, endeavor to get
back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job.I hope to hear
from you in no distant time.

Email:barr_patricklinz@hotmail.com
Yours Faithfully,

Barrister Patrick Linz Esq.
PATRICK LINZ & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM
(Head of Chambers.)

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS: Barrister Markus Wolfgang, Mr. John Marvey Esq, Mr. Jerry
Damon Esq

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam