419 scam: john chan <john@gmail.com> PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

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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:
- "million dollars" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: john chan <john@gmail.com>
Reply-To: john_chan102@ymail.com
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:47:53 +0100
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

My name is Mr. John Chan; I am the Senior Claim Adjuster for our Insurance
Company.

During our last primary audit in 2007, I found out in my department that one of
our clients who insured his properties and life was dead for about two years
that was in 2007. Since then, nobody has comes forward to claim his insurance
premium which amounted to Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00).

Therefore, I am seeking for a reliable and trustworthy person that can act as
the deceased next of kin to make claim for this above stated premium. Note that
I shall provide all necessary assistance to make sure this premium is being
paid out to you. All documents regarding this claim will be forwarded to the
Bank for presentation and approval. If this goes well with you, we shall
disburse the funds in accordance to an agreed percentage 50/50%. Note that this
is absolutely confidential and upon your response, I shall explain explicitly
to you for more understanding.

Please Endeavour to contact me through my private email indicating your
interest in this business proposition. Private email: john_chan102@ymail.com

Yours truly,

John Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam