419 scam: Attn: Beneficiary

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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:
- ",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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447452017212

Fraud email example:

From:
Reply-To: <borisjameson@oath.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2017 18:00:05 -0500
Subject: Attn: Beneficiary

Hello bixnfleisch@joewein.net,

My name is Barrister Boris Jameson. Esq, a legal practitioner and personal lawyer of my late client.

In 2008 my client died a natural death out of old age. My client was unmarried and without children. He left behind assets to the value of $7,500,000 (Seven million five hundred thousand dollars), which is located in a dormant bank account in Switzerland. The Bank contacted me in an effort to establish contact with any of my client's relatives who could be possible beneficiaries to the assets, because according to the new laws set forth by the Swiss Banking Association, all dormant accounts of over 50 years will be transferred to the Swiss Government. More information can be found on their website www.swissbanking.org or www.dormantaccounts.ch.

After conducting several searches, I received no further helpful information over the relatives of my late client. For this reason, I write to you as you bear the same name and could possibly be a suitable relative. I seek your consent and cooperation in order to present you as the beneficiary of my client's assets in Switzerland. If you agree the assets will be shared between us, you will get 40%, I and my client's banker will get 45%, 10% will be donated to a charity organization of your choice, and 5% will be set aside for expenses incurred in processing the claim. My client's assets will be handed over to the Swiss Government if I don't provide a suitable beneficiary.

I have all necessary information and supporting documents needed to process the claim. All I require from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. I look forward to hearing from you soon; I can be reached on the contact details provided below.

Regards,
Boris Jameson
Phone: +447452017212
Fax: +441224907365
Fax: +6328572168
borisjameson@oath.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam