419 scam: "From;Barrister Harry Smith" <harry.smith@yahoo.cn> Attn:Bonafide Beneficiary

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 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.)
- "chambers" (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.
- +22998526224 (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.
- barrister.harrysmith@rocketmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "From;Barrister Harry Smith" <harry.smith@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: barrister.harrysmith@rocketmail.com
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:04:49 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Attn:Bonafide Beneficiary

JAWIELS CHAMBERS & CO.
Solicitors & Advocate
No.294 von volien Zongo,
03 bp, Cotonou,
Republique du Benin
Email Address:barrister.harrysmith@rocketmail.com
Telephone:+229 98526224
Fax Number:0229-98950574

Attn:Bonafide Beneficiary,

I know you will be very surprised to read from someone relatively unknown to you before. I must apologize for this unsolicited message to you, I want you to know that the essence of this message is strictly confidential and for mutual benefit between you and I and nothing more.

My name is Barrister Harry Smith, the attorney at law to Late Maronka Tibor, a national of your country, who used to work as the Director of Produits pétroliers (TOTAL B NIN) in Benin Republic West Africa Here in after shall be Referred to as my client. On the 27th of May 2010, my client, His wife and their two Children were involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several enquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has also proved Unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His country over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you with faith to assist in Repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank here. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the " ECO BANK " An affiliate of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at about $9.5 million dollars.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the relatives for over three years now I seek your consent To present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from The same country so that the proceeds of this account valued at Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9.5 million dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me can Share the money.50% to me and 50% to you I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make,all I require is your honest cooperation to enable us seeing this Deal through.

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 Names,........................
Address,.................................
Your Age,................................
Marital Status............................
Occupation and Position,..................
Your Telephone, ...................and Fax,...........
(for Communication Purpose )

I await your reply as soon as possible.

Best Regards,
Barrister Harry Smith.
Telephone: +229 98526224

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam