Harmen Zeven - Next-of-Kin Scam

This scam mail had the recipient's name included: I have indicated this by replacing their name with [Recipient Name] and [Surname].

Sometimes a scammer will be aware of your real name - this does not indicate that the email is genuine! Emails like this one below are lies and scams, aimed at taking money from you in the form of invented 'fees' or 'necessary payments'.

The inheritance money does not exist.

IP Address: 41.222.192.69 - Benin

This may have been sent by this scammer (using a different fake name) detailed here:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6070

Note the identical IP Address, as well as the very similar text of the email.

From: "ADVOCATE HARMEN ZEVEN" <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010
Subject: [Recipient Name]

ADVOCATE HARMEN ZEVEN
PO BOX 1116 COTONOU O7
RUE LAGUNAIRE COTONOU
TELEPHONE: +229-97675584


ATTN.[Surname]



I am Barrister Harmen Zeven, the attorney at law to Late Mr. Michael
[Surname] , a national of your country, who used to work as the Director
of Produits pétroliers (TOTAL BÉNIN) in Benin Republic West Africa Here in
after shall be referred to as my client.

On the 27th of May 2004 , my client, His wife and their three Children
were involved in a car accident Along Sagbama express-road. All occupants
of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives. Since then I have made
several enquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives this has
also proved Unsuccessful.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to track His last
name over the Internet, to locate any member of his Family hence I
contacted you. I have contacted you to assist in Repatriating the money
and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or
declared unserviceable by the bank here. These huge deposits were lodged
particularly, with the “BANQUE INTERNATIONALE DU BENIN-BIBE" An affiliate
of Commercial Bank of Africa where the Deceased had an account valued at
about $15.5 million dollars.

The Bank has issued me a notice to provide the next of kin or have the
account confiscated.. Since I have been unsuccessful in Locating the
relatives for over 6 years now I seek your consent To present you as the
next of kin of the deceased since you have The same last name so that the
proceeds of this account valued at $15.5 million dollars can be paid to
you and then you and me can Share the money..50% to me and 50% to you I
will procure 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
seeing this Deal through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. And the way we are going to
achieve this is I will need the following information from you, Your Full
Name and Address,

Your Age,
Occupation and Position,
Your Telephone and Mobile for Communication Purpose. I await your reply
ASAP.



Best Regards,

Barrister Harmen Zeven