419 scam: "John Crew"<johncrew@aol.com> Glad to reach you Today

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "trunk box" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
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.
- johncrew107@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "John Crew" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johncrew107@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:04:45 +0100
Subject: Glad to reach you Today

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day. I am Sergent Crews John , a united states 3rd infantry division Soldier stationed in Basra/Baghdad in Iraq.
I write to solicit for your assistance in investing the sum of $4.9m united states dollars in your country.
The funds were realized by me and some other soldiers during one of our operations
in the areas occupied by late president Saddam Hussein. During the operations,
We discovered cash of millions of united states dollars in many boxes kept by Saddam Hussein
in one of his strong rooms and we were able to sneak and take away one trunk box containing $4.9m out of the boxes discovered by the united states army and now looking for an investor.
please confirm my letter to you through this web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm. As soon as you
indicate your support to investing the funds in your country, details will be sent to you for official arrangements.
Basic reasons for chosen you as our investor are as follows

1) We are not allowed to doing any other business out of military operations
2) We do not want the funds to be exposed to the USA military high command here in Iraq.
3) We do not know much about investment as our knowledge are centered on military jobs only
4) We want the funds to be invested out of Iraq for security reasons.

When we have finally established mutual understanding and co operation with you,
you will be connected to our lawyer in London for further arrangements on how you will secure the container.
As soon as you are in full control of the funds in your country, Our lawyer will meet you in your country thereafter for the signing of an agreement on the partnership.
We need your sincerity and confidentiality. You will have 35% of the funds as your share while you will help us invest 65% in your country on profitable ventures only.
could you please send your response to my alternative email address:johncrew107@aol.com

Waiting for your urgent response

Sergent john crew
united states military base
Basra/Baghdad, Iraq

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam