419 scam: John Annan <john.annan@ymail.com> Thanks for your effort

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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 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.
- alex.karsen205@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: John Annan <john.annan@ymail.com>
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2013 10:32:34 -0500
Subject: Thanks for your effort

Dear Friend,

I am happy to inform you that I have succeeded in transferring the funds to SC Johnson & Son de Venezuela, S.C.A and I am in Venezuela to reinvest into properties, however I did not forget your past effort even though you backed out halfway due to expenses involved. I left you a cashier cheque of 480,000.00 euro with my personal attorney. Do contact him with below details and pick up your cheque from him as soon as possible. Also endeavor to send him your full name as you would want it written on the cheque to avoid misplacing your name.

His name is Bar. Alex Karsen

EMAIL: alex.karsen205@superposta.com

Thanks for your past effort and please make do with the token cheque as my new partner collected half of the funds.

Regards,

John Annan

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam