419 scam: "John Paynter" <johnpaynter@fartshirtusa.org> Pls Confirm

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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:
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "John Paynter" <johnpaynter@fartshirtusa.org>
Reply-To: johnpayn@dwrih.com
Date: Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:08:49 -0400
Subject: Pls Confirm

Hi,

I am John Paynter, Chief Executive Director, Audit with Standard Chartered
Bank London, a client (foreigner) made some number time Fixed Deposit,
valued
at Four Million, Six hundred Thousand United States Dollars) in Jan. 2008.

Upon maturity, a routine notification was sent to his forwarding address
by his account officer but got no reply. After a month, we sent reminder
and finally we discovered from his contract employers that he is deceased.

In accordance with the Inheritance Law of United Kingdom, at the
expiration of (4) four years, the money will revert to the British
Government if none relative come for the claim. To be quite honest with
you it is I and his account officer only knows about this fund and we have
agreed to get the fund transfer out of this country.

Consequently, hence you are a foreigner I will like present you as the
next of kin i will use my position in the bank to bear.I assured you there
is no risk involved.

I look forward to your urgent reply.
Best Regards
John Paynter

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam