Bored watching your sideways 401(k)? Need a social veneer for your voracious greed? Boy has Momoh Osagie got a deal for you… So good in fact, it has its own section in Nigerian law: 419. Momoh adds a touch of sophistication to the shopworn 419 through personalization by surname. While this is a common feature of normal spam, it’s the first time we’ve seen it used by 419 scammers. Misspellings and typographical errors are the author’s:

I am Barrister:Momoh Osagie a senior attorney in my chamber i hereby seek your consent to intimate you about my desire to contact as the next of kin to my cleint Mr.Peter Gillette Who used to work with Shell oil Company in Nigeria.On the 21st of April 2002,our cleint, his wife And their three children were involved in a car accident along Sagbama Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost there lives only the driver.Since then I have made several enquiries to locate any of my cleint extended relatives this has also proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts.

I decided to trace his surname over the Internet, to locate any member of his family hence I contacted you. I have contacted you to assist me in repartrating the money and property left behind by our cleint before theyget confisicated or declared unserviceable by the bank where this huge amounth is deposits with lodged.Particularly,the Africa Development Bank where the deceased had an account valued at about 7.5million dollars has issued me a notice as his attorney to provide the next of kin or have the account confisicated within the next twenty official working days.also ensure that you forward your telephone number and fax for easy communication.

Since i have been unsuccesfull in locating the relatives for over 2 years know i seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased since you have the same surname so that the bank can proceeds of this account valued at 7.5million dollars be paid into your account then both of us can share the money.for your assistance you are going to have 30% and 60%for me then the remaning 10 will be used for any expense we many make during this transfer.

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 th is deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under alegitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.Please get in touch with me by this email address to enable us discuss further detail.

Best regards
Barrister:Momoh Osagie

NOTE THAT YOU ARE TO CONTACT ME ON MY CHAMBERS EMAIL
ADDRESS. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE

Before emptying your wallet, you may want to download the US State Department’s Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud pdf.