419 scam: "Stephen Weir" <stephenweir21@rocketmail.com> Notification.

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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.

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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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lome togo" (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: "Stephen Weir" <stephenweir21@rocketmail.com>
Reply-To: stephenweir02@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:35:12 -0400
Subject: Notification.

Dear Friend,

I am Stephen Weir, an Attorney by profession from Republic of Togo, Senior Advocate of Togo, (S.A.T).

It might interest you to know that I have a deceased client that bears the same surname with you.

Mr A I.(your last name) came to Togo in 1988 and was working with Shell Development company, Lome Togo.

In 1996 Before his death, I assisted him in making a 15years fixed deposit worth $9.5M which has now Matured to US$21M payment by the financial institution.

The bank has notified me to provide the next of kin or have the account Confiscated within the next 60 official working days.

I am contacting you for two reasons. Firstly, you both have the same last name, which makes the claim most credible. Secondly, I strongly believe that the financial firm does not deserve to inherit the funds.With your permission, I wish to proceed to establish you as the next of kin/Beneficiary to my late client.

Do not be afraid as I am his representative attorney and stand the capability to provide all the necessary paperwork to back up this claim until the funds are released to you, We will split.

As it is currently valued at US$21M USD. I intend to split the total US$21M with you equally 50%/50%, after deducting any expenses that comes up during the process of this transaction and thereafter i shall invest my own share in real estate business in your country. Let’s work this out for I have all the documents to prove you as the heir to my deceased client. If this is against your principles, I do humbly apologize and please do keep very secret.

Kindly get back to me with your;

Full name.....................
Age.................
Country........................
Telephone number...................
Profession........................

I look forward to hearing from you if you are ready to proceed on this transaction.

Best regards,
Barrister Stephen Weir
Senior Advocate of Togo, (S.A.T).

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam