419 scam: Barrister Virgil Womack <bar.jerrymartins@yahoo.com.ph> I await your 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:

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:
- "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)
- "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.)
- "@lawyer.com" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
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.
- +22998110812 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- bar.virgil@lawyer.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Virgil Womack <bar.jerrymartins@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: bar.virgil@lawyer.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:11:13 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: I await your reply ASAP.

Advocate Virgil Woamck
01 BP 7634
Cotonou, Republique du Benin
Telephone: +229 981-108-12

My Dear: ,

I am Advocate Jerry Martin, personal attorney to Late Mr.Andrea (my Client)from your country who was a gold merchant here in Republic du Benin, West Africa. On the 4th of July 2006, My client lost his life as a result of Brain cancer, as confirmed by a medical specialist who was taking care of his illness for over six months before his death.

I have contacted you so that you can help to repatriate the (Fund) left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the BANQUE OF AFRICA BENIN (BOA) Bank here in Republic of Benin. These money were lodged with a local bank here, where My client had an account valued about $10.5 million dollars (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

Now, l seek your consent to present you to the bank so that the proceed of my client's fund valued about $10.5 million can be paid into your account . Reply after reading this message, so that l will tell you how we can legally proceed the claim.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to
achieve this is I will need the following information from you.

Your Full Name and Address...
Your Age, Occupation and Position...
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose...

I await your reply ASAP.

Best Regards.
Email: bar.virgil@lawyer.com
Telephone: +229 981-108-12
Barrister Virgil Womack.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam