419 scam: "John Martin"<john.martin.office@gmail.com> URGENT!!!

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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)
- "million 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)
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- john.martin.office@superposta.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "John Martin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <john.martin.office@superposta.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:07:05 -0500
Subject: URGENT!!!

Dear Friend,

I have a close uncle of mine by name Mr. Jose Manuel Flavior originally from Angola but resides in Lome, Togo. Unfortunately, he has Cancer! According to his doctors, his days are numbered in this earth. He has mandated me to look for a successful foreign business man from Asia who will invest his fortune for his young son. The man made his fortune during the civil war in Angola. He made his fortune in the sales of Diamonds and Crude Oil during the war in Angola. He left Angola immediately the war ended and relocated with his family to Lome, Togo. This man has an inexperience son who is not yet ready for international business while his wife died two years ago.

He has mandated me to look for a successful foreign business man who will invest his fortune for his young son.. I solicit for your assistance in the investment of a large sum of money in the neighborhood of $48,000,000.00 (Forty Eight Million United States Dollars Only). My friend wants an investor who will make a long term investment of the fund in a profitable business venture. The economic and political instability in Togo and Africa is the main reason why my client wants the funds to be invested in Asia because the Asian economy is fast growing.

I request for your assistance in the investment of this fund. I have spent several days in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates looking for a reliable investor who will invest this money before I came across you. My instinct has never failed me. I am presently in Lome, Togo however, I intend to travel to London soonest in order to discuss with the Financial consultant of Mr. Jose Manuel Flavior who is based in the United Kingdom.

I look forward to hearing from you soonest so that I can give you a complete picture of this transaction.

Thank you for the understanding.

Regards,

John Martin

Email: john.martin.office@superposta.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam