419 scam: "John chan" <johnch@funecsantafe.edu.br> 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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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.
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.
- john_chan3030@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: john_chan020@5d6d.cn
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:28:52 -0400
Subject: PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

Dear sir/ma

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

During our last primary audit in 2008, 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 2008. Since then, nobody has comes forward to claim his
insurance premium which amounted to six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00).

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_chan3030@yahoo.com.hk

Yours truly,
John Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam