419 scam: "Barr John Hill"<john.hillchambers@w.cn> PLEASE REPLY IN GOOD FAITH

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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:
- "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)
- "million us 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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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.)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr John Hill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnhillchambers@w.cn>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:12:09 +0100
Subject: PLEASE REPLY IN GOOD FAITH

JOHN HILL & CO.CHAMBERS
(ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS AT LAW)
FEDERAL HIGH COURT BENIN
WHITE-HOUSE BUILDING,
27 DEGBAGO CRESCENT,
COTONOU, BENIN-REPUBLIC

Dear Friend,

I RECEIVED YOUR DATA THROUGH THE INTERNET BUSINESS DIRECTORY, AND AFTER PRAYING OVER IT, I PICKED UP THE COURAGE AND TRUST TO CONTACT YOU IMMEDIATELY.

I humbly crave your indulgence in sending you this mail, if the content does not meet with your personal and business ethics, I apologize in advance. I am Barrister John Hill, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to late Mr.Peter ,a foreigner, who was a contractor here in Benin Republic. On the 21st of April 2007, my client, his wife and their only daughter were involved in a car accident along Midonbo express way. Unfortunately they lost their lives in the event of the crash.

My client deposited the sum of $7.5Million US dollars with a Bank here in Cotonou Benin Republic. And since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of his extended relatives, but all proved abortive. I have contacted you to assist in claiming the funds left behind by my client before they get confiscated by the Bank where this huge deposit were lodged.

The Bank where the deceased had deposited the fund has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have it confiscated within the next thirty official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you bear the same surname with him so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at $7.5Million US dollars (Seven Million five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) can be released to you and then you and I can share the money.

I will get necessary legal documents that can be used to backup this claim in your name as the next of kin/ beneficiary of the fund. 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. Kindly get back to me and send me your private telephone number to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

Best Regards,
John Hill (ESQ)

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