419 scam: Barrister Michael Smith <barr.michaelsmith11@gmail.com> NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

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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:

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:
- "hundred thousand united states 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.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Michael Smith <barr.michaelsmith11@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barr.michaelsmith12@omail.hu
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:51:01 +0100
Subject: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

--
MANAGING PARTNER
Michael Smith. & SOLICITORS
Third Floor Thavies Inn House,
3-4 Holborn Circus
Lagos-Nigeria.

Re: NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST

On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Engr.Reinhard
Hermann, I once again try to notify you as my earlier letter to you
returned undelivered. I hereby attempt to reach you again by this same
email address on the WILL.

I wish to notify you that Late Engr. Reinhard Hermann made you a
Beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Four Million Five Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars ($4,500.000.00 USD) to you in the codicil
and last testament to his WILL. This may sound strange and unbelievable to
you, but it is real and true. Being a widely traveled man, he must have
been in contact with you in the past or simply you were recommended to him
by one of his numerous Friends abroad who wished you good.

Engr Reinhard Hermann until his death was a member of the Helicopter
Society and the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers. He had a
very good heart and was a philanthropist. His great philanthropy earned
him numerous awards during his life time. I.e.UNO, WHO, & UNESCO.

Late Engr. Reinhard Hermann died on the 13th day of December, 2008. At the
age of 80 years, and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him
this money is to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor
and the needy in your society. Please if I reach you this time as I am
hoping, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me
conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant time.

Sincerely yours,

Barrister Michael Smith.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam