419 scam: Barrister John Wang <john_wang@hotmail.my> Good Day

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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "john_wang@hotmail.my" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister John Wang <john_wang@hotmail.my>
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:05:56 +0400
Subject: Good Day

--
Dear,
I am Barrister John Wang, an attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,
that shares the same genealogical name with you, died as a result of a
heart-related condition on March 12th 2007 leaving behind a deposit valued
at $13.5 million dollars. His heart condition was due to the death of all
the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December 2004
in Sumatra Indonesia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
I want you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client
before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank.The bank has
issued me a notice to contact the next of kin. My proposition to you is to
seek your consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my
named client. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. You can contact me to my
personal email, which is john_wang@hotmail.my. Hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards,
Barrister John Wang

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam