419 scam: Barrister Jim Thomas <heather-----00@att.net> very urgent

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "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 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.)
- "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: Barrister Jim Thomas <heather-----00@att.net>
Reply-To: barristerjimthomas@mailaton.com
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 04:49:26 -0800 (PST)
Subject: very urgent

Hello My Friend,

Greeting again as i will explain my self to you,I am Barrister Mr.Jim Thomas ESQ.Jimthomas Chamber & CO London, United Kingdom,a solicitor at law an investment legal officer and attorney here in London of the Late André Bettencourt husband to Mrs Liliane Bettencourt Paris France's richest woman.After these several unsuccessful attempts,As i have not been able to locate any of the member of his family hence I contacted you.I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the finance company where the deceased had an investment company amount valued cash USD$50 000 000 million dollars.

The bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the join partner and next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD $50 000 000 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money. 60% to me and 40% to you I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this deal through.Please not that you have to take this serious as to keep this confidence and Secret to avoid eye of people as will don't need third party as this have been a longtime no body or person no about this deposit as i am his person lawyer here in London.You contact information stated is need as to able is start the processing here in London.:Your Full contact address,names,Open a new account where the money will be wire to and send to me,company name,Private cell phone and
fax.Copy of your international passport,office Id card,as to able me know who i am dealing with OK.

In fact i guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please get in touch with me by my email and send to me your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

Anticipating your urgent response.

Barrister Jim Thomas.
Jimthomas Chambers & Co.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam