419 scam: "J Barnes"<john@aim.com> Thanks for reading

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jbarnes2001@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "J Barnes" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jbarnes2001@aim.com>
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:40 +0100
Subject: Thanks for reading

Hello,
I represent a client who passed on, before my client's death there was a lodging in an offshore account. My client had no heir and the deposit was confidential between us. It’s been over 6 years now, and if not claimed the bank will claim it for themselves as unclaimed funds.

I now want to make you the legal beneficiary of the estate, so that we can both share it fifty percent each once released to you. I will work out the legal documentation. As long as this remains confidential between us. If you oblige then, kindly send me your full name, address, telephone and country. I will then apply to the bank to have the funds released to you, making you the legal beneficiary to the funds. Get back to me if interested, and can keep a secret.

Regards

John
jbarnes2001@aim.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam