419 scam: "Mrs. Vester Williams" <eric.barfoot@t-online.de> Good Day

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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 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)
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (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: "Mrs. Vester Williams" <eric.barfoot@t-online.de>
Reply-To: vesterlawfirm@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2012 08:30:19 -0300
Subject: Good Day

BARRISTER Vester Williams CHAMBERS
03 BP 2082,Cotonou,
Republique du Benin
Dear Rabani ,

I am Barr. Mrs Vester Williams, the Attorney at law to Late Mr. Ralph, a native of your country, who used to work as the Director of Products patrollers (TOTAL BENIN) in Benin Republic West Africa.

On the 2nd of August 2007, my Client, His wife and their three Children were involved in a plane crash and unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but all efforts was just in vain.
After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track his last name over the Internet, to locate any 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 (BANK OF AFRICA, BENIN REPUBLIC). These huge deposits were lodged particularly, with the "BOA" where the deceased had an account valued at about USD$10.5 million dollars (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars).

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years. Now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same Last Name/Nationality so that the proceeds of this account valued at USD$10.5 million dollars can be paid to you and then you and I can Share the money 50% to you and 50% to me.
I will procure all Necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee you that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law, but you must also agree not to disclose or pass any information related to this business to any body for security reason and to avoid eye brow. The way we are going to achieve this is:
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Your full name and address
2. Your private phone and fax numbers
3. Marital status
4. Age
5. Occupation
6. National Identity card or driver?s license.
7. Name of your company if there is any.

Please feel free to contact me immediately for further action. Waiting to hear

Mrs. Vester Williams

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