419 scam: "JOHN COOPER"<j_cooper@w.cn> PROMPT ATTENTION!

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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:
- "can i completely trust you?" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "dormant account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "j.cooper@w.cn" (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: "JOHN COOPER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <j.cooper@w.cn>
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 13:00:54 -1200
Subject: PROMPT ATTENTION!

Dear Sir / Madam,

I decided to drop you this quick note once more because I did not get your response regarding the information I sent you the other day. In case you did not receive the letter introducing my intent, I am Barrister John Cooper. The Financial Consultant to Late Mr. Rafik Hariri, Born in Lebanon in 1944.Late Rafik Hariri was a Lebanese self-made billionaire and business tycoon. He was also a five time Prime Minister of Lebanon. You may wish to view the website below for more clarification.

http://www.rhariri.com/general.aspx?pagecontent=biography

I got your mail through my private search and out of desperation I decided to reach you through this medium. Mr. Rafik Hariri deposited the sum of $7,420.000.00 USD in a Finance/security company here in Europe before his death. I contacted you because I want these funds moved and invested in your country. The need to move out this money arose when the European Community Leaders generally agreed that some of the money held in dormant accounts would be used for social or environmental purposes.” Charity and community projects. See website below.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-18/cameron-raids-dormant-u-k-accounts-while-minister-attacks-rip-off-banks.html

In view of these I contacted you because I am in urgent need for a sincere and humble person who can receive these funds on my behalf as the new beneficiary. With the information and documents at my disposal, I can facilitate the transfer of the funds to you while we share according to our agreement. Please permit me to ask these few questions:-

(1) Can I completely trust you?

(2) I am ready to offer you 25% of this (7,420.000.00 $) I hope it is acceptable by you?

Please consider this and get back to me as soon as possible through my secured email address at ( j.cooper@w.cn ) for more details,

Thanks for your anticipatory response.

Regards

Barr. John Cooper

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam