419 scam: "Malcolm Waters QC"<clerks@radcliffechambers.com> BUSINESS PROPOSAL: YOUR HONESTY IS REQUIRED

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +447045728843 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "Malcolm Waters QC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mwaters.radcliffechambers@hotmail.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:20:56 -0700
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL: YOUR HONESTY IS REQUIRED

Radcliffe Chambers
11 New Square
Lincoln's Inn
London WC2A 3QB
DX: 319 London
www.radcliffechambers.com
Tel: +447 045-728-8437

Dear Sir/Madam,

Before I start, I must first Apologies for this unsolicited mail to you. I am aware that this is certainly an unconventional approach in starting a relationship but as time goes on you will realize the need for my action.
I got your contact through a reliable source called database through UK chambers of commerce.

I am Malcolm Waters QC of RADCLIFFE CHAMBERS LONDON, I'm married with two kids here in London. I am a representative; an Attorney to Late Mr. Blake Hunter’s private account, my client Mr.Blake Hunter passed away in the Year 2008, left behind his fund amounted to £ 9,500,000.00 GBPS, (Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds Sterling Only) which he did not supply his next of kin to his deposited fund before his death.

All efforts by me to trace his Next of Kin proved abortive because he did not make any will prior to his death.

The Financial law of British inheritance clearly allows for the deceased Bank to use deceased money as deemed fit, should the inheritance money be left unclaimed for a period of Nineteen months after the death of the account owner. The Governing Body of the BANK where the fund is deposited has contacted me on this matter and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as the next of Kin so that my late client's fund will not be confiscated by the bank after a long period of time and taken into the government treasury as unclaimed.

The reason why I have contacted you now is because I want to present you as the beneficiary and next of kin to late Blake Hunter. I need a honest and a trust worthy person to entrust this huge transfer project with.

The British Inheritance Law clearly leaves the bonus of proof of who is or is not the next of kin, to the deceased Lawyer (ME), to prove the next of kin prior to what he wrote down with me being his Attorney. As the deceased Lawyer, the British Law simply states that l have the final say of who is the beneficiary of the deceased estate. This is 100% percent legal. As a legal representative / attorney, I know this.

If you are interested in this proposal and you are ready to keep this proposition in absolute confidentiality and trust, then contact me at once, and we can work out the details.

Awaiting your swift response.

Malcolm Waters QC
© Radcliffe Chambers 2006

Anti-fraud resources:

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