419 scam: "Barr. Bernard Parasois"<bernard.parasois@e-mail.ua> RE: Barr. Bernard Parasois

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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.)
- "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.
- +22994432929 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Bernard Parasois" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <benard.parasois@yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2013 10:42:55 -0800
Subject: RE: Barr. Bernard Parasois

AVOCATE BERNARD PARASIOS
Avocat 04 BP 4146
Cotonou, Republique du Benin
Telephone: +229-94432929

My Dear,

I am Bernard Parasios, personal attorney to Late Martin Peter, my client a national of your country, who used to be an Oil dealer here in Benin Republic West Africa Here. shall be referred to as my client. On the 21st of April 2006, my client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a auto accident. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their live. Since then I have made several enquirers 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 last name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I contacted you I have contacted you so that you can help to repatriate some money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Apex Central Bank here inRepublic of Benin. These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "ORABANK BENIN" where the Deceased had an account valued at about $14.5 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 five years now, I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the proceeds of this account valued at $14.5 million dollars can be paid to you, then you and I will Share the money. 50% for me and 50% for 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 in seeing this Deal through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. I will like you to give me your following information's for more details;

your Age
your full name and address
your office, home and Mobile numbers
your occupations and position

I await your reply ASAP.

Best Regards
Barrister Bernard Parasios.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam