419 scam: "MARK JONES." <investor_funds002@btinternet.com> BUSINESS INVESTMENT/PARTNERSHIP!!!ngineer.leniuPŒë¸"

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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447031925007 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- investor_fund002@btinternet.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MARK JONES." <investor_funds002@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: investor_fund002@btinternet.com
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:06:26 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: BUSINESS INVESTMENT/PARTNERSHIP!!!

From: Investor Mark Jones
Address: 189 Grosvenor Square London,
W1A 1AE United Kingdom.
Tel: +447031925007, +447031901958
Fax: +447024011541.
Email: investor_fund002@btinternet.com

BUSINESS INVESTMENT/PARTNERSHIP!!!

Dear prospective trustee,

Please listen to me very carefully. I know this will come to you as a surprise because we have not seen each other before know. I know definitely, that we are going to meet by the grace of God. I am a legitimate investor trying to seek your cooperation to invest in your country.

I was once the Director/CEO of a multinational oil company for 9 years now retired and later became a public office holder for 3 years also retired, and now I am a prospective investor. I want to go neutral and I want to invest $35M in your Country through a neutral individual like you and I will authorize the transfer of this said fund into your account, if you agree to work with me honestly and truthfully.

All I want you to do when you receive this fund on my behalf is to establish a business that will be of mutual benefit to both of us.

You invest the fund in Real Estate business or any business that you might deem fit and that can yield fast profit/interest and at the end of the year both of us will share the profit at 60% for me and 40% for you.

If you are ready we shall sign a memorandum of understanding/Agreement between both of us that will serve as a working tool and also legally binding us together.

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Regards,

Mark Jones.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam