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This is a typical inheritance mail. Apart from that, it is interesting to note where they have set up their e-mail addresses.
They obviously spend a lot of time looking for suitable freemail companies the world over. That’s why the addresses don’t often match up with the story they send.
In this case a brazilian e-mail address as sender for a nigerian lawyer, doesn’t add up. The return address at corporateattorneys.com does fit this time.
Original Message —————–
Subject: HI DEAR (22-Jul-2005 6:07) From: barristermikeoputa@alunos.unipar.br To: barristermikeoputa@alunos.unipar.br
BARRISTER Michael Oputa PLOT 25 Works Layout, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS NIGERIA
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Michael Oputa, an advocate and Solicitor. I am the Personal Attorney to Mr. Fredrick Athar ,a foreigner who used to work with European Development Company in Nigeria.On The 21st of April 2001,my client,his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama Express Road.All occupants of the vehicleun fortunately lost their lives.Since then I have made several enquiries to his embassy to see if i can locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has all the while proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts,I decided to trace his relatives (i.e surname) over the Internet, to locate any memberof his family but of no avail,hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge deposit were lodged.Particularly, the Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about 22.3 million dollars has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin to the deceased or have the account confiscated within the next ten official working days.Since i have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over 2 years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are still a foreigner, so that the proceeds of this account valued at $22.3 million USD can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money,60% to me and 35% to you, while 5%should be for expenses or tax as your government may require. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.All I require is your honest cooperation 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. Please get in touch with me by my email:barristermikeoputa@corporateattorneys.com Best regards, Barrister Michael Oputa
Believe me there are days, where these e-mails come in every couple of minutes or so. This is one of those days!
This one poses a couple of questions:
1.) I have never heard of an Omani with a Anglo-Saxon name, have you? 2.) If he wanted to donate his money to charity, he would just have to apoint a lawyer as trustee. 3.) This story reminds me of Scrooge in a Christmas Carol. Could it be that one of these people read the book?
——– Original Message ——– Subject: Urgent Assistance Needed!!! (22-Jul-2005 9:42) From: peter_ed322668@go.com To: peter_ed322668@go.com
Dear friend,
As you read this, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Peter edwards I a merchant of Omani nationality but presently residing in Britain. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer . It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.
I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself)but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the Oman, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organization in Bulgaria and Pakistan, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.
The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of eighteen million dollars 18,000,000 that I have with a finance/Security Company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatche it to charity organizations. I have set aside 20% for you and for your time. God be with you.please reply me via this email below peter_ed22@excite.com
This one is a repeat. It came in about a month ago. It looks as though they are not finished with this story.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: PLEA FORM ASSISTANCE. (20-Jul-2005 19:02) From: JosephKoroma2@netscape.net To: xxx@xxx.xxx
Dear Friend,
Permit me to inform you of my desire to go into business with you. I got your name and contact on the Internet during my search for a sincere partner. I prayed and to choose your name among others due to its nature of estimation and on recommendations given to me as someone honorable and worthy of confidence whom I can do business with. And, by the recommendation, I must not hesitate to confide myself to you for this simple and sincere business.
I am (Joseph Koroma), the only son of the late Makalala. Koroma that my father was a very rich Businessman dealing on Gold Farmer equipments in Zimbabwe and also the exporter of gold to Europe and America, the economic capital of Zimbabwe, my father died in hospital of heart attack. My mother also died when I was just a baby and since then it was my father who was taking care of me until his death.
Before the death of my father, in January 2002, in private hospital, he secretly called me to his bedside and told me that he had the sum of Eleven million, five hundred thousand United States American dollars (S$11,500,000) being in a two trunk boxes and he deposited it in a security company in Europe. That he used my name as that of his only son.
Then because of this political crisis that started here, it’s why I seek a foreign associate, I am presently in the Europe where I am seeking political asylum for the security of my life,
Dear friend, I honorably seek your aid in the following manner:
(1) To serve as the guardian of these funds since I am only 24
(2) To make arrangements for me to come to your country to continue my education and for me to obtain residence papers in your country.
Besides this, sir, I am disposed to offer you 20% of the entire sum as compensation for your effort to have helped me after the transfer succeeded of these funds in your account, and I will give you 5% for the other expenses.
Moreover, you indicate your options for helping me and I believe that this transaction could be concluded as soon as you accept to help me. I urgently await your sure response.
E-mail:JosephKoroma@netscape.net Thanks may God bless you.
This must be familiar to you. They have just changed the name, that’s all.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: Charity (21-Jul-2005 7:41) From: usman1faruque@hotmail.com To: unknown@111.111.111.111
Dear Friend,
As you read this, I don’t want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mr.Usman Faruque merchants in Dubai, in the U.A.E.I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer. It has defiled all forms of medical treatment, and right now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone(not even myself) but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never Generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this, as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.
I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well asa few close friends.
I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul so, I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself anymore.If you are interested in helping me kindly reach me on my private email address usman2000@walla.com
It looks as though these people are going through all the european lottery companies!
——– Original Message ——– Subject: CONGRATULATION! WINNING NOTIFICATION (21-Jul-2005 11:50) From: belg_2005@go.com To: hgh@go.com
THE PROMOTIONS DIRIECTOR Belgische lottery international Dept. REF: IPL/084433765/WP1 Lucky number: NA/543296-PCQ34 Deposit Number:90/237/098/09begl Reply Email:secfinancom@netscape.net www.belgischelotto.be DEAR SIR/MADAM, RESULTS FOR CATEGORY “A” DRAWS Congratulations to you as we bring to your notice the results of the First Category draws of Belgische lotterty held on 21th july,2005. We are happy to inform you that you have emerged a winner under the First Category, which is part of our promotional draws. The draws were held prior to your notification. It is a promotional program aimed at encouraging internet users therefore you do not need to buy ticket to enter for it, Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000 names/email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia,Europe, Middle East, and Oceania as part of our International Promotions Program.Your company email Addresses, attached to ticket number:6725201 IPL which is with reference numberPL/084433765/WPI, and lucky numberNA/543296-PCQ34,drew a lucky winning number which consequently won the sweep take in the second category in the four parts. you have been approved for a payment of ?900,000.00(! Nine Hu ndred Thousand Euro)in cash credited to file reference number IPL/084433765/WPI. This is from a total cash prize of ?95,000,000.00(NINETY FIVE MILLON EURO) shared among the international winners in all categories .CONGRATULATIONS! Your fund is now deposited with our finaincial security Company SECURITY FINANCE BELGIUM and insured With the paying out Bank in your name. to avoid mix up of numbers and names of any kind, we request that you keep the entire details of your award strictly from public notice until the process of transferring your claims has been completed, and your funds remitted to your account. Please, note that you will be require to notarized and obtained a vetting approval from Belgium high court of Justice Brussel Belgium before your winning prize can be transfer and this process will be done by your approved claim agent. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants/nonparticipants of this program. We also wish to bring to your notice our end of year premium stakes draw where you stand a chance of winning up to 50 million; we hope that with a part of your prize you will participate in it. Please contact your claims agent immediately for due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice. COMPANY NAME: SECURITY FINANCE BELGIUM. AGENT NAME:MR.DERICK VAN BOCHEM. Tel:0032-494-867-992. Reply e-mail: secfinancom@netscape.net you are advised to contact our agents by email or phone within a week of receiving this notice. Failure to do so may warrant disqualification. NOTE: For easy reference and identification, find above your reference and Lucky numbers. Remember to quote these numbers in every one of your correspondence with your claims agent. Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program. Sincerely, Mrs.Julie Aderson. Lottery Coordinator. N.B: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification. Please do reply to this mail Contact your claims agent immediately.On 0032-494-867-992. Mr.Derick Van Bochem.
___________________________________________________ Check-out GO.com GO get your free GO E-Mail account with expanded storage of 6 MB! http://mail.go.com
So long Mikhail Khodorkovsky is in jail, this type of story will remain in circulation.
Considering the fabulous fortune that he put together and the rapid fall he has experienced, there is plenty of room for speculation.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: Business Co-operation (21-Jul-2005 12:26) From: lynnde77@netscape.net To: xxx@xxx.xxx
Dear Sir/Madam
Greetings to you and your family. I have a profiling amount in an excess of US$25M, which I seek your partnership in accommodating for me. You will be rewarded with 20% of the total sum for your partnership. Can you be my partner on this?
INTRODUCTION OF MY SELF:
I am Mr. Mark Poort, an attorney to Mrs. Danijela Djuric, a Yugoslavian and personal secretary to Mikhail Khodorkovsky (M.K) the richest man in Russia and owner of the following companies: Chairman CEO: YUKOS OIL (Russian Most Largest Oil Company) Chairman CEO: Menatep SBP Bank (A well reputable financial institution with its branches all over the world).
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
The documents of the above funds in question was handed over to me to be used in payment of an American oil merchant for his last oil deal with my boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Already the funds have been deposited with a Bank: BANCO SANTANDER where the final crediting is expected to be carried out. While I was on the process, My Boss got arrested for his involvement on politics in financing the leading and opposing political parties (the Union of Right Forces, led by Boris Nemtsov, and Yabloko, a liberal/social democratic party led by Gregor Yavlinsky) which poses treat to President Vladimir Putin second tenure as Russian president.
You can catch more of the story on this http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/13/51215.html
YOUR ROLE:
All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the above quoted sum and I will arrange for the documentation which will enable BANCO SANTANDER, transfer the sum to you.
I am assuring you that this transaction is hundred percent risk free.
The transaction has to be concluded in two (2) weeks before Mikhail Khodorkovsky is out on bail.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Your’s Sincerely,
Mr. Mark Poort.
NOTE: You must reply me on this email: markpoort05@netscape.net
This is one of those e-mails where they try and pack every kind of emotional button into the message.
It’s clear they are targeting people who are religious in thought and deed.
There have been enough cases of christian (as well as Muslim) communities who have fallen for this type of message.
For me it is an expression of bad character. But then, who said these people have a character at all?
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: BLESS YOU (21-Jul-2005 13:04) From: jennifer_wil@k.ro To: unknown@111.111.111.111
Dearly Beloved,
My name is Mrs.Jennifer Wilson I am a dying woman who had decided to donate what I have to you. I am 59 years old and was diagnosed for cancer about 2 years ago,immediately after the death of my husband, who had left me everything he worked for.
I have been touched by God to donate from what I have inherited from my late husband to the you for the good work of God,rather than allow my relatives to use my husband’s hard earned funds ungodly.I have asked God to forgive me all my sins and i believe he has because He is a merciful God. I will be going in for an operation,and i pray that i survive the operation.
I have decided to WILL/donate the sum of $1,500,000(One million five hundred thousand dollars) to you for the good work of the lord, and to help the motherless,less privileged and also for the assistance of the widows.
At the moment I cannot take any telephone calls, due to the fact that my relatives are around me and i have been restricted by my doctor from taking telephone calls because i deserve all thee rest i can get.Presently,I have informed my lawyer about my decision in WILLING this fund to you.
I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good work to others. Kindly Contact my lawyer through this email address jbsolicitorx@netscape.net if you are interested,so that he can arrange the release of the funds ($1,500,000.00) to you.I know I have never met you but I have been directed to do this by God,and i hope you act sincerely.
NB: I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the task is accomplished,as I don’t want anything that will Jeopardize my last wish, due to the fact that i do not want relatives or family members standing in the way of my last wish.
This certainly looks as though it is a contender for the titel.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: INVESTMENT PARTNER WANTED (20-Jul-2005 18:00) From: thomas@box.az To: xxx@xxx.xxx
Attn The Owner, I have a client who wants to invest in your country to the tune of US$27.3M.United States Dollars My client is a Wife to a Late General in the army and he needs protection for her family, if you can handle such a huge investment, kindly get back to me as soon as possible so that, the full details of the business will be revealed to you , for example the investment plan, agreement and procedure. I am waiting for your immediate responds my private email address barr.thomas@lawyer.com Barrister Thomas Hassan{ Mr} The Principal , Hope Law Chamber, No6a Tudu Accra North, Ghana West Africa.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: EMAIL LOTTERY NEWS!!! (19-Jul-2005 10:32) From: dayzerslott0000511@go.com To: dayzerslott0000511@go.com
FROM: MRS.MABEL VAN DYKE THE LOTTERY CO-ORDINATOR,
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS/PRIZE AWARD DEPARTMENT.
RE / AWARD NOTIFICATION
BACTH NO: LHTE/EU/1599/66788
REF. No: LHTE/EU/1570/60654/002
WINNING NOTIFICATION / PROCESSING ADVICE
This is to inform you of the release of the E-MAIL LOTTERY BALLOT INTERNATIONAL/ WORLD GAMING BOARD held on the 15th of JULY, 2005. Due to the mix up of number, the results were released on the 19th of JULY 2005.
Your email address attached to Ticket No:4586394333 with Serial No 2114654777 drew the lucky numbers of 04-01-55-40-89 which subsequently won the lottery in the 1st category.
You have therefore been approved for a lump sum payout of$1.500,000.00 DOLLARS(ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ONLY) in credit to a file reference number KHLM8774352087 This is from total prize money of $7.500,000.00(SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND) shared among the international winners in our 1st -5th categories. All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn form 25,000 company email addresses and 3,000,000 individual email addresses from all search engines and website all over the world as part of International Promotions Program,conducted every TWO years ,and this is promoted and sponsored by eminent personalities.
CONGRATULATIONS! Your funds is now in custody of a financial/Security company insured in your FILE REFERENCE and covered with HIGH INSURANCE POLICY
Due to mix up of some numbers and names, we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants.To process your claim, please contact your file/claim officer: MR PETER HENKS, DAYZERS LOTTERY
Tel, +31-610-171-453
Fax, +31-847-542-053.
email to:peterhenk01@walla.com
Make sure that you quote your winning references in all your correspondence with them.
Please be informed that NON RESIDENCE of NETHERLANDS will be required to procure an Affidavits of Lotto Claim/Court clearance certificate from the Court in NETHERLANDS prior to European Gaming Board as required by the paying Authority.
Please be aware that your Paying Authority will Effect Payment Swiftly upon satisfactory Report, For due processing and remittance of your winning prize to designated account of your choice, please treat as urgent.
NOTE: In order to avoid unnecessary delay and complications, please remember to quote your reference and batch numbers in every one of your correspondences with your agent and all reply must be via email as to ensure the legibility.
Furthermore, should there be any change of your address, do inform your claims agent as soon as possible.
Note that all winning must be claimed not later than 30th JULY 2005.
After this date all unclaimed, funds will be included in the next stake.
Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.
Note: Anybody under the age of 18 is automatically disqualified.
A reader sent me the following e-mails today. One from Mr. Brown and the other Mr. Koffi.
They both refer to the deceased Mr. Andreas Schranner, who died in a plane crash. They both claim to have sums of money which belonged to Mr. Schranner. But that is about all they agree upon.
——– Original Message ——– Subject: Nigeria-Abzocke (19-Jul-2005 10:32) From: xxx@xxx.xxx To: michael@xxx.xxx
from Mr. Brown, 11-07-05, ————————
Dear Sir,
The inspiration to contact you is simply divine providence, I am making this proposition because I have to seek the partnership of a resourceperson to help me realize this project. I Anthony Brown, esq. a solicitor and investment consultant based in COTONOU, ,BENIN REPUBLIC
I was attending a business luncheon in Berlin, Germany and I got introduced to the renowned German businessman and property mogul, Mr.Andreas Schranner (of the blessed memory).He engaged my services as attorney and investment consultant and my primary assignment was to spearhead his investment forays in BENIN REPUBLIC, Three months later I invited him to COTONOU and under my professional guidance and based on my advice he made a fixed deposit of $15.7m at a financial institution .This deposit was for 2years and upon maturity I made effort to contact my client, I could not reach him or any member of his family. I was forced to travel to Germany and there I got the tragic news that on July 25 2000, my client Mr. Andreas schranner, his wife Maria, their daughter Eich and husband Christian and their two children perished in the air France Concorde new York bound flight; Please Click on the below site and find out what happened to the family
I have made efforts to locate any member of his family since then with strong biological links to my late client without success. The search to find a close relation is one that has consumed time and resources. The institution is asking me to either present a next of kin to late Mr. Andreas Schranner or forfeit the deposit.
My proposal is to package, present you as next of kin to late Mr. Andreas Schranner and process the fixed deposit and transfer custody to you for our mutual benefit. My capacity as solicitor/investment consultant to my late client gives me the discretion to package and transfer the deposit to you. I will give you 40% for your effort, 60% for me it will amount to injustice if I do not take this decisive step to secure this deposit, and invest it. The late schranner was also a friend in addition to our business relationship. I will wait for your reaction and response and then together we can jumpstart this project and nurture it to reality.
You can send your reply to this email address only: barristerbrown01@zwallet.com
I await your respond
Anthony Brown.
from Mr. Koffi, 19-07-05 ———————–
Dearest: Friend,
My Name is Mr.Andre Koffi a credit officer with the one of the leading Bank (Finance Trust House) here in Cotonou Republic Du Benin. In my department i discovered an abandoned sum of (USD 32 m) in an account that belongs to one of our foreigncustomer (MR. ANDREAS SCHRANNER from Munich, Germany) who died along with his entire family in July 2000 in a plane crash.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.
stm Since i got information about his death, I have been expecting his next of kin to come over and claim his money because we cannot release it unless some body applies for it as next of kin or relation to the deceased as indicated in our banking guidlings and laws but unfortunately we learnt that all his supposed next of kin or relation died alongside with him at the plane crash leaving nobody behind for the claim. It is therefore upon this discovery that I now decided to make this business proposal to you and release the money to you as the next of kin or relation to the deceased for safety and subsequent disbursement since nobody is coming for it and we don’t want this money to go into the bank treasury as unclaimed bill. The banking law and guidline here stipulates that if such money remained unclaimed after Five years, the money will be transfered into the bank treasury as unclaimed fund. The request of foreigner as next of kin in this business is occassioned by the fact that the customer was a foreigner and an Indigen cannot stand as next of kin to a foreigner.
I agree that 30% of this money will be for you as a respect to the provision of a foriegn account , 5% will be set aside for expenses incurred during the business,another 5% to help the less previlage and to assist the charity organisations here in Africa and abroad while the rest 60% would be for me Thereafter, I will visit your country for disbursement according to the percentage indicated .
Therefore, to enable the immediate transfer of this fund to you arranged,you must apply first to the bank as relation or next of kin of the deceased indicating your bank name, your bank account number, your private telephone and fax number for easy and effective communication and location where in the money will be remitted. Upon receipt of your reply, I will send to you by fax or email the text of the application .
I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch-free and that you should not entertain any atom of fear as all required arrangements have been made for the transfer.
You should contact me immediately as soon as you receive this letter. Trusting to hear from you immediately.