419 scam: "Rev.DR ADAMS JOHNSON" <officefile3@cantv.net> =?UTF-8?B?QVRFTlRJT046IFlPVeKAmVJFIENPTVBFTlNBVElPTiBOT1cg?=

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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:
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev.DR ADAMS JOHNSON" <officefile3@cantv.net>
Reply-To: barr_mcnnabuike@live.fr
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 10:22:45 -0430 (VET)
Subject: =?UTF-8?B?QVRFTlRJT046IFlPVeKAmVJFIENPTVBFTlNBVElPTiBOT1cg?=

How are you today, Hope all is well with you and

Your family, you may not understand why these email

Got to you.

We have been having a meeting for the passed seven

Months which ended two days ago with the secretary?

To the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to all the

People that have been scammed in any part of the

World, the UNITED NATION has agreed to compensate

Them with the sum of US$800,000.00.

This includes every foreign contractor that did not

Receive their contract sum, and people that had an

Unfinished transaction or international business

That failed due to Government problems etc. We found

Your name on our list and that is why we are

Contacting you, this has been agreed upon and has

Been approved.

You are advised to contact Barrister M.C Nnabuike Of

ZENITH BANK PLC BENIN, as he is our representative

In Africa, contact him immediately for your Cheque

International Bank c of USD$ 800,000.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam