419 scam: "Barrister James Obih Esq."<haleberr45@gmail.com> Please get in touch with me

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "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)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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 us 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.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jobih01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister James Obih Esq." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <trinitychambers001@yandex.com>
Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 06:03:36 -0400
Subject: Please get in touch with me

Barrister James Obih Esq
23 Ahmed Onibudo Crescent,
Victoria Island,Lagos-Nigeria.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Barrister James Obih, I am personal Attorney to late Mr. M. Kogan, a
national of your country, who is a contractor with Shell Development
Company here in Nigeria. Herein after shall he be referred to as my
client. Mr. M. Kogan, died along with his wife in an Egypt Air Flight 990
plane crash on a festive visit from Los Angeles, please view this web
site(http://www.cbsnews.com/ stories/1999/11/01/iran/ main49778.shtml),
since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients
extended relatives, but this has also proved unsuccessful.

After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track any person who can
assist me to get this fund out from the security company, I have contacted
you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before it
get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Security Company where
these huge deposits were lodged. Particularly, the Security Company, where
the deceased had an amount valued US15.5 Million US Dollars concealed in a
security box deposited with them as family "TREASURE" for safety The
security has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
consignment sized within a short period of time.

Since I have been unsuccessfully in locating the relatives for over ten
years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the
deceased so that the proceeds of this amount of {US15.5 Million US
Dollars) can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money,70% to
me and 30% 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
co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this
will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any breach of the law.

Before we proceed in this great deal, I want you to forward to me ASAP the
following information below as to establish a mutual understanding;

1)Your Residential/Office Address..................
2)Your Telephone/Fax Number........................
3)Your profession..................................
4)Your Age/Marital status..........................

Please get in touch with me by my email (jobih01@gmail.com or
trinitychambers001@yandex.com) to enable us discuss further.

Faithfully Yours,
Barrister James Obih Esq.

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam