419 scam: Barrister Zain Johnson <info@zain.org> URGENT ASSISTANCE!

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- barris_zainjohnson@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Zain Johnson <info@zain.org>
Reply-To: barris_zainjohnson@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:56:27 -0300
Subject: URGENT ASSISTANCE!

FROM THE DESK OF BARRISTER ZAIN JOHNSON
ZAIN JOHNSON & ASSOCIATES
IOI BUSINESS PARK
2ND FLOOR, SOUTH WING
47100 PUCHONG
KUALA LUMPUR MALAYSIA.

Dear Sir,

Bearing in mind the nature of the content of this letter coming from a person without any referral, I apologize for any inconvenience, but please read and objectively consider if we can work together.

I am Barrister Zain Johnson, a legal practitioner. This involves a foreign client of mine, who died as a result of a heart-related condition on the 13th March 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the Indian Ocean Earth Quake on Indonesia (Tsunami) Aired December 26th, 2004 - as reported on:http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki /Effect_of_the_2004_Indian_ Ocean_earthquake_on_Indonesia

My client had an investment on fixed deposit value of USD$15.5 million. [Fifteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand U.S.Dollars.] deposited in a private bank here with no nominated successor in title over this investment. The bank where his money was deposited has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated. I want you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client otherwise it will be sent to the treasury by the bank.

I have already developed a full proof, legal and totally risk free means through which the fund can be released to you within a very short time after due documentation and authentication process. The strategy is to use my position and influence as the lawyer of the deceased to present you as a next of Kin and beneficiary of the deposit so that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

I want to assure you that I have concluded all local modalities for the successful completion of this within ten banking days of your agreement to proceed with me as the required assistance are perfected to be safe and without any breach of law.

Please contact me at once to indicate your interest. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this E-mail as soon as possible via my private E-mail(barris_zainjohnson@hotmail.com)and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity I look forward to your quick reply.

Yours truly,
Barrister Zain Johnson Esq.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam