419 scam: "Barr. Donald Burris Esq" <fm1823516@aol.fr> Hello Dear Friend

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- +447031901149 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- b.burrisesq@yahoo.co.nz (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Donald Burris Esq" <fm1823516@aol.fr>
Reply-To: b.burrisesq@yahoo.co.nz
Date: Mon, 19 May 2014 01:02:08 +0100
Subject: Hello Dear Friend

- This mail is in HTML. Some elements may be ommited in plain text. -

Dear Friend,
It is indeed my pleasure to write you this letter, which I believe will be a surprise to you as we have never met before and I am deeply sorry if I have in any manner disturbed your privacy. Please forgive this unusual manner of contacting you, but this particular letter is of exceptional and very private in nature.
I know that there is absolutely going to be a great doubt and distrust in your heart in respect of this letter coupled with the fact that, so many individuals have taken possession of the Internet to facilitate their nefarious deeds, thereby making it extremely difficult for genuine and legitimate business class persons to get attention and recognition. There is no way for me to know whether I will be properly understood, but it is my desire to write and reach out to you as a person based on great fidelity and trust.
My name is Barrister. Donald Burris, an attorney at law; I am contacting you in respect of a business transaction that required your urgent attention. My client Engr. Felipe Gordon and his family died in a car accident on the 7th of August, 2003 and even till now, I have been unable to locate any of his relative. Before his death, he was an oil merchant and made a Deposit of FORTY EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND BRITISH POUNDS (48,500,000.00 GBP) with a Bank. This fund was set to be used in setting up a GAS PLANT PROJECT IN ASIA.
The fund has remained unclaimed and the Bank will take over this fund if I do not present anyone to claim it. I am seeking for your prompt assistance in helping me receive this fund in your account, I now seek your permission to have you stand as the Next of kin to the deceased as all documentations will be carefully worked out by me for the funds to be released in your favor as the sole beneficiary of the deposited fund. It may interest you to know that I have secured from the probate, an order of mandamus to locate any of deceased families, please acknowledge the receipt of this message in acceptance of our mutual business relationship, endeavor to furnishing me with your information. These requirements will enable me to file letter of claim to the appropriate departments for necessary approvals in your favor before you can personally appear for the claim. I will provide all vital documents to legalize your status in the claim.
Please note that your share of the fund is 60% for me and 40% for you and I believe that this is a fair deal. If this proposal is acceptable to you, do not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you and this transaction should be kept confidential as I would not want anyone to know about it. However if you are willing to assist me in this venture, I will establish a verbal telephone communication with you and bring you into a much better picture of the situation. If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at once to indicate your interest on my email:
b.burrisesq@yahoo.co.nz
All I require is your honest Co-operation, Confidentiality and Trust to enable us sees this transaction through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.(100% risk free) Don't worry how this is going to be done. But if you give me your consent to do this with me, then I will now present you to the bank as the next of Kin to my late client and then, the proceedings for the transfer will commence. Kindly contact me on the above email and telephone number.
Yours truly,
Barr. Donald Burris Esq.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM.
Tel:+447031901149
E-mail:
b.burrisesq@yahoo.co.nz

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam