419 scam: "Mr. John Hopkin" <axxxgxxx@yahoo.com> United Investment Funds

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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:
- "million british pounds" (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. John Hopkin" <axxxgxxx@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ttassetmanagement@live.com
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:37:12 -0500
Subject: United Investment Funds

INVESTMENT MANAGER
PRIVATE & VERY SAFE
1 Lime Street,
London EC3M 6,
UNITED KINGDOM.

I wish to inform you that this letter is not a joke mail and I urge you to
treat it serious. We want to transfer the sum of Â£32,000.000.00{Thirty Two
Million British Pounds sterling} to any safe account with your honest
assistance. I have every possibility for the accumulated proceed to be paid in
your favour and then both of us will share the value equal percentage Can I
trust you on this?

Although, necessary steps has been made regards to this issue confidentially
with key Bank Personnel?s and they have agreed to help if I found honest
and capable person to handle this transaction to enable us transfer the value
Asset out from UK.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a concrete special arrangement
that will protect us from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your
notice that this transaction is total hitch-free and you should not entertain
any fear because good arrangement has been outlined for successful conclusion.

If you are willing and capable to handle this business with me in full
confidence & trust, please do not hesitate to Reply me back.

I look forward hearing from you.

Warmest Regards,

Mr. John Hopkin

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam