419 scam: Hon.Barrister Marcel Eze<info@usa.org> URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED NEXT OF KIN.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (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)
- "hon.barristermarceleze221@onet.eu" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Hon.Barrister Marcel Eze<info@usa.org>
Reply-To: hon.barristermarceleze221@onet.eu
Date: 07 Dec 2016 14:13:28 -0600
Subject: URGENT REPLY IS NEEDED NEXT OF KIN.

MARCEL EZE & CO.CHAMBERS,L.L.B.L.L.M B.L LEGAL
PRACTITIONERS,SOLICITORS AND CONSULTANTS,MEMBER
DRAFTING COMMITTEE
1995.PLOT 121,COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC.

Dear Friend,

I am calling from Benin Republic West Africa.I am
Barrister Marcel Eze,an English speaking
Beninoise,Solicitor and Financial
Attorney/Consultant.I was moved to contact you
based on the present condition of things
here.There is a foreigner who registered with my
Legal firm as his personal Attorney and he was a
stock broker as well as a one time secret agent in
importing oil from overseas for our former
Ministers.My client was also a Diamond/Gold
Merchant.So,on 2nd June 2001 my client,Mr.George,
made a Fixed deposit for US$46,500,000.00 (Fourty
Six Million,Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars
Only)with a Bank here in Benin,with standing
statement/agreement with the bank that all
correspondences in respect to the fixed deposit
contract must be sent to him through my humble
chambers.

Upon maturity,the routine notification was sent to
me,which I dispatched to his forwarding address as
usual without a reply.After a
month,I sent a reminder which I received from the
bank without any reply again.Finally,I discovered
from my client's contract employee
that he died among many others on Sept.11,2001
Terrorist attack.He died without making any WILL
and all attempts to trace his relatives
was fruitless.I also discovered that he did not
declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents,including his fixed deposit
contract with the bank.Hence I seek your consent
to present you to this bank as the next of kin
based on the official letter I just received from
his bankers reminding me that BENINOISE LAW states
that at the expiration of(15)years the money will
be reverted to the ownership of the BENINOISE
Government if I do not confirm the next of kin to
claim the fund.Consequently,my proposal is that I
will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the
next of kin to my deceased client since you shares
thesame surname and also from this same country so
that the fruits of this old man's labor will not
go into the hands of some corrupt government
officials.

Note that this transaction is simple and risk free
because I will provide expert legal services that
will guarantee the successful
execution of this deal.If you are interested,
please contact me as soon as possible through
phone,I shall provide you with more details and
how we shall proceed with the claims.I expect you
to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest
assured that this transaction would be profitable
for both of us.and if you are interested contact
me through this my private E-mail Address;
hon.barristermarceleze221@onet.eu

Thanks as I await for your reply.

Best Regards,

Hon.Barrister Marcel Eze

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam