Email Scam concerning inheritance

bonzocs

Hi All,

A relative of mine forwarded me an email to check for them that caused them some concern. This is an obvious scam so I thought I'd post it here for others to notice should others be affected. I particularly like the scam artists efforts to conceal his own identity by respectfully requesting the recipient does not pass on their details by playing on the moral integrity of the reader. Anyway, here it is, so beware everyone:

Dear ******** *********,

Thank you for your email concerning the inheritance of mutual benefit. We have contacted you hoping that you will be able to handle this Transaction on our behalf. The details will be given on your response. I would want you to reconfirm the following information to enable us prepare the necessary documents that will enable you make claims to the Inheritance without any problem. I will call you once I receive your response.

Names in Full:
Contact Address:
Tel:

Our late client's name was Mr. Michael R. ******* and did not leave any record of any of his relatives. His last Will gives us the power to nominate a beneficiary for this sum by codicil. So we have contacted you because you bear the same surname as the testator and will be easier to present you rather than loose this amount to the authorities without any claim. We will do all the paper work here on your behalf.

I would respectfully request that you keep the contents of my messages and other forms of communications private and also to kindly respect the integrity of the information you came by as a result of this transaction. I send you this mail not without a measure of conscience as to what is involved in this transaction, but I know within me that nothing ventured is nothing gained and that Success and Wealth never come on a platter of gold. This is one truth I have learned from my private law experience and my clients too. Do not betray my confidence reposed in you.

I wish to inform you that all contacts between us MUST be restricted to this email account and my direct telephone number for now. Once I get a favorable response from you, a simple draft of such an application will be sent to you. All you need do then is fill out the application and send it dire ctly to the bank in which the fund is deposited. I shall provide you with the necessary contact information of the bank. Once we get Approvals at the High Court Probate Division for the release of this sum of money.

I await your prompt correspondence.

Yours faithfully,

James Ballard.
Equity Chambers
ADDRESS: De Entree 99 1101 HE Amsterdam
+31-626-679-120

dealer_wins

Usual scam, and if it was genuine it would involve a serious criminal offence to falsely claim an inheritance LOL

maninthestreet

It's the tired, worn out '419' Advance Fee fraud.

peter_the_piper

But unfortunately it still catches out the greedy or ill informed. They only need to catch 1 in a million to make it worth while.

localhero

Definitely a scam. However there are 'heirhunter' type organisations around that are genuine. Anyone bona fide won't be wanting an upfront fee or be operating out of Amsterdam.

They would almost certainly telephone or visit you rather than email as well.