419 scam: "Mr. Johnson Okafor" <OFICCE201255@YAHOO.COM> Hello Dearest Friend,

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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:
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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.
- jonathangreer81@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Johnson Okafor" <OFICCE201255@YAHOO.COM>
Reply-To: jonathangreer81@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:56:05 +0300 (EAT)
Subject: Hello Dearest Friend,

Hello Dearest Friend,

I am glad to inform you and your family that I have successfully concluded
the transaction which I seek for your family help before. Now the money
has been transferred to HONG KONG through the assistant of Mr.Wong Lee,
who is a business man based in Hong Kong.

Currently I am in Hong Kong with him, my wife and children. However, I did
not forget your family because they are the source of my success, they
made me what I am now though they are not there to complete this project
with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to GOD. I know it is not
their fault or rather their wish to back off on me and the transaction, I
understood it was simply because of some circumstances they could not
control or understand.

In appreciation of their assistance I have mapped out a Compensation and
wrote on their favor to you a certified bank Draft worth of (Two million
five hundred thousand, United States Dollar Only) I left the Bank draft
with Barrister Jonathan Greer, on my departure to HONG KONG. I would like
you to contact him with the below information and instruct him where to
send the certified bank Draft to you.

Name: Barrister Jonathan Greer
Email: jonathangreer81@yahoo.com

As soon as you receive the certified bank draft you let me know because I
am busy here trying to put things together and may not be chanced to
e-mail you frequently. Feel free to contact him for your certified bank
Draft. I will stop here. Once again, Thanks to you and your family very
much and remain blessed.

Best Regards,

Mr. Johnson Okafor.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam