419 scam: "JOHN GOODMAN" <goodman_john@aim.com> Dear. Beneficiary

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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:
- "million united state 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)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "robert mugabe" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin 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.
- goodman_john@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "JOHN GOODMAN" <goodman_john@aim.com>
Reply-To: moneyunion.spain@aim.com
Date: Sat, 6 Jul 2013 13:36:20 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear. Beneficiary

MR JOHN GOODMAN NDEBELE
DME, MAIN OFFICE ZIMBABWE
Email: goodman_john@aim.com

Dear. Beneficiary
URGENT FAMILY ASSISTANCE

With due respect, trust and humility, I write to you this proposal, which
I believe would be of great interest to you. I found your contact while
doing a private search for a reliable and capable foreign partner that
would assist my family to transfer fund to any personal or private account
and for investment purpose. I am Mr. John Goodman Ndebele, the son of Late
Mr. Martin Old Ndebele who was the "Chairman" of the farmer's co-operation
in Zimbabwe.

My father was among the few blacks that were murdered in cold blood by the
President Robert Mugabe during the land dispute that just happened in
Zimbabwe years ago. The reason why I need your urgent assistance is
because of the sum of US$36 Million (Thirty Six Million United State
Dollars America) that we inherited from my late husband, which he
deposited in a private security company here in Europe. Before his death
he was a very rich farmer and he owned a Sugar Refinery Company in
Zimbabwe before the President MUGABE’S government killed him. If you
listen to international news CNN or BBC you will know what is happening in
my country Zimbabwe.

We are presently in Spain as Refugee (Asylum Seekers) and as such, the law
of Spain does not permit me to operate or open any bank account here in
Spain or to be involved in any financial transaction with banks or
security companies. For this reason I and my mother are appealing to you
to help us for release of the fund from the security company and transfer
into your bank account in your country. All the related documents are
ready for the effect of this transaction. We shall compensate you with 25%
of the total fund for your assistance and another 5% will be given set
aside for any miscellaneous you might incurve during this transaction till
completion.

Please contact us urgently on the above information for more details.
Finally be informed that this transaction is 100% risk free and below is
evidence of the sites of the event.

1Visit: www.rte.ie/news/2000/0418/zimbabwe.html
2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/918781.stm
3 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/715001.stm

Best regard.

Mrs. Stella Ndebele and Son John Goodman Ndebele
(For The Family)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam