419 scam: Chief Mike Okoye <mikel_okoye@yahoo.co.uk> Investment Proposal

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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 us 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)
- "you will be entitled to 30%" (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.)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348096062420 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- mikel.okoye@consultant.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Chief Mike Okoye <mikel_okoye@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mikel.okoye@consultant.com
Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 03:09:19 -0400
Subject: Investment Proposal

--
Chief (Barrister) Mike Okoye
Plot 365 Ajose Adogun Street
Victoria- Island, Lagos
Nigeria.

Sir/Madam,

I am Mike Okoye, a lawyer and business/management consultant. I counsel
and represent some former and serving Generals of the Nigerian Armed
Forces, and also represent some serving and former ministers and some bank
executives. On this note, I advised them on all legal and investments
matters; and based on my services, one of client (a retired army General)
has approached me in confidence to source for a trustworthy person/company
that can receive the sum of US0,000,000.00 (One hundred and fifty million
US Dollars) for trading for a period of six months and the profits will be
shared 50/50 between the fund provider and trader/utilizers, while the
main
capital will be returned to the provider at the expiration of the six
months trading.

On the other hand, if you are not into stock/trading, we can arrange the
sum of US,000,000.00 (Fifty Million US Dollars) to be wired to your
account
or can still be arranged in Cash and deliver to your preferred address in
your country and you will be entitled to 30% and the remaining 70% will be
used for investments in your country and it is to the desire of my client
to invest in real estate and properties. If you are interested, you should
educate us on this investment plan in your country. Depending on the area
you want to work with us, I would advice that you send your banking
details
for bank wire transfer or your address for Cash delivery Payment. Let me
assure you that there will be no hitches, as every legal and security
arrangements has been covered and you have nothing to loose, rather you
will be happy at the end of the day. You can call me on: +234-809-6062420
as soon as you receives this message for more details.

Let me stop here, hoping to hearing from you soonest.

Yours sincerely,
Chief Mike Okoye
Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria
E-mail: mikel.okoye@consultant.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam