419 scam: Barrister Mark Ferguson <info@mail.com> Your prompt response is highly imperative

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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:
- "mobilization fee" (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. )
- "here in london united kingdom" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr_mrkferguson@qq.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +447937419300

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Mark Ferguson <info@mail.com>
Reply-To: barr_mrkferguson@qq.com
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 17:12:52 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Your prompt response is highly imperative

>From : Barrister Mark Ferguson

Chambers & Advocates

Address: 60 Bayswater Road

London W2 3PS , United Kingdom

Tel: +447-9374-19300

Fax: +447-8704-46063

Good day.

I am sorry for contacting you through this medium without a previous notice; I had to use email because it is an official and more confidential way of making contact with people around the world. My names are Mark Ferguson a fifty three (53) years old Attorney in practice here in London. I had a client by name Michelangelo Manini who is an Italian and producer of electronic gates based in Italy who died last year on March 17 2012 at the age of 50.Prior to the Death of my Late Client, He secured a contract of 22,500,000.00 million Pounds from the British Airways, following which he received a 30% mobilization fee of 6,750,000.00 Million Pounds and successfully executed the contract, but the balance of 15,750,000.00 Million Pounds contract payment was in the Process of being transferred into My Late Client's account with BARCLAY`S BANK London which he submitted to the British Airways before he lost his life in the incidence.

Just one weeks after this sudden Death, The British Airways effected the transfer of the balance of his Contract funds into the account that My late client has on his file with them. As one of his personal attorney here in London United Kingdom after his death I have been officially notified and instructed by the BARCLAY`S BANK London where the money is currently deposited that I should provide and forward the particulars of Mr. Michelangelo next of kin so that the funds in his account can be remitted into his next of Kin's account in accordance with British Laws. However, as the personal attorney and close confident of late Mr. Michelangelo, I want you to know that my late Client died intestate, He died without leaving a next of kin for this particular will stated, we are to transfer this funds from the BARCLAY`S BANK London as soon as possible before Andrea Moschetti, the lawyer appointed by the Catholic Church could discover about this will.

Therefore I am seeking for your consent to present you as the deceased next of kin and subsequently the beneficiary of the fund so that the proceed of this account valued at 15,750,000.00 Million Pounds can be paid to you for subsequent disbursement between you and I.If you can cooperate with me and receive these funds as next of kin to late Mr. Michelangelo Manini, Confirm your interest by contacting me through my confidential email above. I can assure you that the deal is 100% risk free because I am in possession of the deceased personal file which contains all information which I shall use to prove your relationship with the deceased therefore the money will be paid into the account of whomever I present as LATE Mr. Michelangelo Manini Next of kin with proofs that I will present to the bank when needed, we would both share in ratio of 60% for me and 40% for you, am giving you 40% from the total funds due to it matter of urgency.

When I receive a positive response and after proper discussion with you, I will furnish you all relevant information that will facilitate the release of the Funds to you. An application will have to be filed to the bank for processing of the release of the funds into your nominated Bank account anywhere in the world. please kindly send to me your full name,address, mobile number and fax for easy communication and do reply me through my private email address:( barr_mrkferguson@qq.com )for more information's. Hope to hear from you through the above e-mail address.Your prompt response is highly imperative.

Yours truly,

Barrister Mark Ferguson

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