419 scam: Douglas Chambers <edwarddouglas001@gmail.com> RESPOND BACK ASAP

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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. )
- "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.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (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: Douglas Chambers <edwarddouglas001@gmail.com>
Reply-To: edwarddouglas1@sify.com
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:01:17 GMT
Subject: RESPOND BACK ASAP

Wire Transfer of US$2.5Million Dollars

Attn:Dear Sir/Madam

Firstly, I am Barrister Edward Douglas, a solicitor at law. I am the Personal Attorney to late Engr. Robert Williams.Can you be sincere?He is an Australian citizen, and who was until his demise my client based on engagement entered into a Deal with my chambers on his will Execution.

The said late Engr.Robert Williams who is hereafter referred to as my client passed away on the 11th of February, 2008, in a fatal auto accident with his entire family.As a result of his fateful death,I have therefore contacted you to assist in claimming the funds ( US$2.5Million Dollars) left behind by my late client from the Investment bank where the funds were deposited before it is declared as unclaimmed Bills by the bank.

The Investment bank where my late client made the Deposit has issued me notice to provide an appointed next of kin within the next 30 official working days, or face the Wrath of their Banking Laws.

Due to my unsuccessful attempts in locating the relatives for weeks now, I therefore seek your consent to present you as the Next-of-kin of the deceased to inherit the funds, so that the funds can be transferred to you by legitimate inheritance provisions as my client's Next of Kin through Inter-Bank Transfer.

All necessary legal documents to back up your claims as the appointed deceased Next of Kin to receive this fund, will be available by my chambers as witness to your status as bonafide inheritor. I solicit therefore your honest cooperation to enable us see this enterprise to conclusion.

I also reassure you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.If interested,furnish me all the followings in your next mail :

1. Full Names
2. Country of Nationality
3. Contact Direct Phone Numbers
4. Age
5.Profession/

I will be looking forward to your urgent response when you get this mail to finalize this deal as soon as possible because the thirty days mandate given by the bank is of essence.

Yours faithfully,
Barr.Edward Douglas

Anti-fraud resources:

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