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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "BARR.JOHN WILLIAMS" <j.willies@yahoo.com> (may be fake)
Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2007 20:36:52 +0400
Subject: ATTEND TO WITH SERIOUSNESS

ATTN:DEAR,

I wish to intimate you with a request that would be of immense
benefit to both of us. Being an executor of WILL, it is possible that
we may be tempted to make fortune out of our client situations, when
we cannot help it, or left with no better option. The issue I am
presenting to you is about my client who WILL a fortune to his
next-of-kin. It was most unfortunate that he and his next-of-kin died
on the same day in the sharja plane crash of Tuesday 10 February
2004.

I am now faced with confusion of who to pass the fortune to.According
to the English law, the fortune is supposed to be bequeathed to the
government.However,i dont belong to that school of thought which
proposes that the fortune of unlucky people be given to the
government.

My purpose of contacting you is to seek your assistance to act as the
beneficiary of the WILL, and lay claim to the legacy(12.4million
pounds sterling),which this my unfortunate client bequeathed to his
next-of-kin. For now, It is only known to me, as my client has great
confident in me. Everything will be left between you and I. The share
would be 40% for you and 60% for me.All I have to do is to amend the
WILL stating you as the beneficiary to the 12.4million pounds
sterling.

As I am yet to get your consent on this issue, I prefer not to
divulge
my full identity so as not to risk being disbar. The English Bar
considers it a breach of the oath of the British Bar Council. I need
not emphasize to you that the sensitivity of this issue need not be
toyed with by neglecting its confidentiality. Due to the activities
of fraudsters now rampant on the internet,and until I am sure of your
consent,full cooperation and genuine willingness to assist me for our
mutual benefit,I would prefer that we maintain correspondence by
email.At this point I want to assure you that your true consent, full
cooperation and confidentiality are all that are required for us to
take full advantage of this great opportunity.

This is an opportunity that people rarely have. Please do not be
apprehensive, this is our fortune and we shall celebrate it.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.


Yours truly,

Barr.JOHN WILLIAMS

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam