I was emailed a letter, saying that someone with my last name died and I was next of kin, and that they payment estate was an estimated 5.8 million dollars. i knew right away it was a scam. It reads as follows.
Dear Taryn
Please i want you to know that this is not a child play so you need to treat this business maturedly.Am Barrister Leo Obongu from Benin Rep and Iam personal attorney to late Mr Taryn who died on here in Benin Rep in year 2000.
However, my proposal is that I want to present you to this bank as the next of kin to my client so that the fruits of this old man's labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials.
This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full names and address so that I will prepare the necessary documents which will put you in place as the next of kin. 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.
Then after securing those documents in your name, i will submit them to the management in your name as your lawyer for the approval of this money which will now come out in your favour.
And the same time i will forward to you the application form to fill and send to the Bank for immediate release of this funds into your destinated
bank account.
Please get in touch with me both through email and phone to enable us discuss further.
Finally, your telephone , fax and mobile numbers for easy and constant communications and also confidentiality.
I want you to treat this business with the utmost secrecy it demands because of my position in this country.
feel free to contact me on:00229-846-864
Best regards,
Barrister Leo
& Another one
E-Mail;
[email protected] Dear Taryn,
I humbly crave your indulgence in sending you this mail,if the contents does not meet with your personal and business ethics,I appologise in advance.I am Barrister Leo Obongu the Personal Attorney to late Mr Taryn, who was a contractor here in Benin. On the 3rd of Oct 2001, my client,and his family were perishedin a ghastly car accident along Midombo Togo express way.
But my client made a fixed dopsit valued at (USD$5.9M) , and upon the maturity this bank started contacting him but no response. Conseqently, the bank issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the account confiscated after four years, as the law of this land says.
Since then I have made several enquiries to your Embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives, this has also proved unsuccessful.
Since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over two years now I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you are from the same country and also bears the same last name,so that the proceeds of this account valued at $5.9 can be paid to you and then you and me can share the money.
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.
Please get in touch with me both through email and phone to enable us discuss further.
Best regards,
Barrister Leo Obongu.
Tel:00229-846-864. PLEASE REPLY TO ALTHERNATIVE E-MAIL;
[email protected] --------------------
Taryn
Farragut, Tennessee
U.S.A.