419 scam: "Barr. Jonathan Walters"<Barr_Jonathan.Walters@rediffmail.com> Hello Dear : Read and reply ASAP.

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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:
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447024070602 (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.jonathan_walters@rediffmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Jonathan Walters" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Barr.Jonathan_Walters@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 18:00:04 -0400
Subject: Hello Dear : Read and reply ASAP.

JONATHAN WALTERS CHAMBERS
SOLICITOR AND ADVOCATES
LONDON-ENGLAND.
UNITED KINGDOM.

I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense benefit to both of us. Being an executor of WILL, it is possible that we may be tempted to make fortune out of our client situations, when we cannot help it, or left with no better option. The issue I am presenting to you is about my client who WILL a fortune to his next-of-kin. It was most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died on the same day in the Trancoso, Bahia plane crash of Friday 22nd May, 2009. I am now faced with confusion of who to pass the fortune to.

According to the English law, the fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to the government. However, My late client is a A British-born businessman with south american father and mother,I don`t belong to that school of thought which proposes that the fortune of unlucky people be given to the government. My purpose of contacting you is to seek your assistance to act as the benefactor of the WILL, and lay claim to the legacy (8.7 Million GBP), in a secret bank account which this my unfortunate client bequeathed to his next-of-kin. For now, it is only known to me, as my client has great confidence in me. The share would be 40% for you and 60% for me.

All I have to do is to amend the WILL stating you as the beneficiary to the 8.7 Million GBP. As I am yet to get your consent on this issue, I prefer not to divulge my full identity so as not to risk being debarred. The English Bar considers it a breach of the oath of the English bar Council. I need not emphasize to you that the sensitivity of this issue need not be toyed with by neglecting its confidentiality.

Due to the risk involve and also the activities of fraudsters now rampant on the internet, and until I am sure of your consent, full cooperation and genuine willingness to assist me for our mutual benefit, I would prefer that we maintain correspondence by email. At this point I want to assure you that your true consent, full cooperation and confidentiality are all that are required for us to take full advantage of this great opportunity.

This is an opportunity that people rarely have. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours Truly,
Bar. Jonathan D. Walters
TEL: +44-702-407-0602
Email: barr.Jonathan_walters@rediffmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

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