419 scam: "Mrs. Grace Johnson" <gracejohnnson7@att.net> BANK DRAFT

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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:

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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Grace Johnson" <gracejohnnson7@att.net>
Reply-To: basilronald90@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 06:17:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: BANK DRAFT

P {MARGIN:0px;}UL {MARGIN-TOP:5px;MARGIN-BOTTOM:5px;}OL {MARGIN-TOP:5px;MARGIN-BOTTOM:5px;}Dear Friend,
Compliments of the day and God's blessingsI am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,the money transferred to London. It was transferred through the assistant of your country man Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.Currently I am in London with him,my husband and children. However,I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you. I know it was not your fault or rather
your wish to back up on me and the transaction ,I understand it is simply because of what you must have heard about my continent and her business opportunities. Actually there are still good ones for example myself.In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your favor an International Certified Bank Draft worth of US$2,500,000.00.(Two Million,Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) I left the Draft with my attorney Barr.Basil Ronald on my departure to London. I would like you therefore,to contact him on the below info so that he can mail it to you.Barr.Basil Ronald
Email: basilronald90@yahoo.frPLEASE SEND TO HIM WITH YOUR PERSONAL CONTACT
1,FULL NAME.................
2,DELIVERY ADDRESS........
3,PHONE NUMBER...........
4. AGE:........................
Contact my attorney so that he can release your Draft to you. While contacting him you have to mention this code 999 to him for Identification. Regards,
Mrs. Grace Johnson

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