419 scam: "Attorney James Griffin"<victorxxa@live.com> From Attorney James Griffin. REQUEST FOR YOUR 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:

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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Attorney James Griffin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <jamesgriffin@indiatimes.com>
Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 20:06:37 +0430
Subject: From Attorney James Griffin. REQUEST FOR YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE!!

REQUEST FOR YOUR URGENT ASSISTANCE!!

Hello,

This message might meet you in utmost surprise, however, it’s just my urgent need for a Foreign Partner that made me to contact you for this transaction. I am James Griffin , a British Citizen I am an Attorney to Mr. Kurt Kahle a Germany Citizen.

I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds ($20.5 million) Twenty Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars of one of my former clients Mr. Kurt Kahle who died along with his entire family on 31 July in a plane crash. You can confirm the genuinely of the deceased death by clicking on this Web site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm

Hence, I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be shared between us in the ratio of 50/50 while 10% will be mapped out for expenses. If you agree to my business proposal. Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as i receive your return mail.

Let me re-assure you that this transaction is 100% Real, legal and risk free, i have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make.all i require is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.

Have a great day.

Best Regards,

Attorney James Griffin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam