419 scam: "Mrs. Sophia Jacob" <admin@giamco.com.sa> From Mrs. Sophia Jacob

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cheque " (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. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
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.
- revattmashjosan57@pisem.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Sophia Jacob" <admin@giamco.com.sa>
Reply-To: <revattmashjosan57@pisem.net>
Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2005 11:49:03 -0800
Subject: From Mrs. Sophia Jacob

My Dear Friend,

I am happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds transferred under the co-operation of a new partner from China. Although you might find it difficult to remember me, since it has indeed been a very long time. However, I am much elated and privileged to contact you again after this long time.

While it takes faith and courage to remember old friends and at the same time, to show gratitude to them in spite of circumstances that may have disrupted our transaction ultimately not to work out as we projected. Nevertheless, I take this liberty to inform you that, the transaction we were pursuing then together, finally worked out by the infinite mercy of God Almighty and I've decided to contact you, just to let you know the present situation.

I must inform you also that I am presently in China for business negotiations and establishment, and, with a sincere heart, I have issued a cheque to the tune of US$1,000,000.00 in your name as COMPENSATION for your dedication and humane contribution as it were.

Reverend Attmash Josan is the only person I instructed on how to deliver the check to you. Therefore, I implore you to contact him immediately you read this message for the collection of your cheque, for I have conscience as a human being, and I really appreciated your tremendous effort and contribution made to make things work out but which we couldn't complete due to circumstances beyond our control.

I want you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Get in touch with Reverend Attmash Josan for the collection of your cheque.

1: Name: Reverend Father Attmash Josan (of Roman Catholic Church, Nigeria)
2: E-mail Address: revattmashjosan57@pisem.net

Note: He is waiting to hear from you for the collection of your cheque. Take note and bear in mind that the cheque has a validity period of 30 banking days as such it is expedient you contact him and thus have modality put in place to conclude this arrangement in the earliest possible time.

Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Sophia Jacob

NOTE: Do not reply to me, rather you are to contact Reverend Attmash Josan through e-mail Address: revattmashjosan57@pisem.net

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam