419 scam: "JOSEPH BABATUNDE Esq. <joe.babatunde@msn.com>" <josephbabatunde46@yahoo.com> PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

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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:
- "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 pounds" (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.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "JOSEPH BABATUNDE Esq. <joe.babatunde@msn.com>" <josephbabatunde46@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: "JOSEPH BABATUNDE Esq. <joe.babatunde@msn.com>" <joe.babatunde@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:18:31 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

JOSEPH BABATUNDE & ASSOCIATES CHAMBERS
(LEGAL PRACTITIONER,PUBLIC NOTARY,SOLICITOR & ADVOCATE)
SUITE 435 OMEGA PLAZA,APAPA LAGOS - NIGERIA.

Attention:

I am Joseph Babatunde,a personal Attorney and legal adviser to Mr.Robert,a foreigner resident here in my country who works with a Multi-National oil company,Shell Petroleum Development Corporation as an oil consultant/contractor.

My client,his wife and their only child were among the victims of an explosion in Lagos,Nigeria that happened on January 27,2003 which claimed many lives and properties.Please click on the link below to view info about the accident

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2718295.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2698081.stm

I am contacting you to assist in repatriating money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit was lodged. Particularly, now that the BANK,where the deceased had an account valued at about £11.8 million Pounds issued a notice to provide the next-of-kin or have the account Confiscated within the next twenty one official working days based on seven years dormancy regulation by the financial association.

Since I have been unsuccessful in locating his relatives, I now seek for your consent in order to present you as the next of kin to my deceased client so that his funds valued at (£11,800,000.00 GBP) would be paid to you and thereafter you and I can share this money. If you agree, we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we made for this fund to be released into your account.

All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal a success.I guarantee you that this deal will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Private and confidential of this business is highly important.

I remain most obliged,

Mr.Joseph Babatunde Esq.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam