419 scam: "Barrister Joseph Babatunde" <admin@phoenix.com.tw> A Lifetime Opportunity

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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.

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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:
- "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 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)
- "barrister" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Joseph Babatunde" <admin@phoenix.com.tw>
Reply-To: <josephbabatunde1906@googlemail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:51:43 +0100
Subject: A Lifetime Opportunity

Attention, I am Barrister Joseph Babatunde,a solicitor at law and the personal Attorney To Mr Eric Hansen, a national of your country, who lived in Nigeria , Here in after referred to as my client.On the July 2000 ,my client was involved in a car crash Unfortunately died along with his entire family. I am contacting you to assist in repatriating his money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Bank where this huge deposit was lodged. Particularly, now that the BANK, where the deceased had an account valued at about GBP7.8 million Pounds issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account Confiscated within the next twenty one official working days. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin Of the deceased Hence you are from the same country with him so that the Proceeds of this account valued at GBP7.8 million Pounds can be paid to you. If you agree, we can discuss your percentage. I have all necessary Legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make for this fund to be released into your account.All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal a success. I guarantee you that this deal will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. ALSO YOU NEED TO KEEP THIS DEAL PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. Awaiting your immediate response. Best Regards, Barrister Joseph Babatunde

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