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:
- "claims agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- moneyunion.spain@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: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 16:57:53 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Dear Beneficiary

Paseo de la Esperanza, 21
Madrid Spain.
CLAIMERS DEPARTMENT.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER
www.burgerking.es

Burger King Promotion Award

Dear Beneficiary,

We are pleased to inform you, the beneficiary whose name is on this mail,
about the release of the awaited delayed result, of our international
Burger King promotion. We are happy to inform you of your Winning price of
€650,000.00 (Six Hundred And Fifty Thousand Euros Only). Names entered in
the program were presented by ANDALUCIA VISTA S.A in conjunction with a
group of philanthropist, humanitarian organizations, and also with the
help of chambers of commerce and industries and countries high commission
in Spain. Your name with this number 76.494 won in the 3RD category your
security file number for your winning claim is BK/2013/0018. Please
remember to keep your file number highly confidential to avoid double
claim.

To begin your claims, please contact your claims agent MR JOHN GOODMAN.
The Foreign Affairs Manager, Tel: 00 34-654 885 227 , Fax 0034-917 693
111, Email:moneyunion.spain@aim.com for all necessary verifications before
transfer can be effected Sent your winning information to this agent for
urgent response Immediately we receive the above Details you will be
informing on how to claim your prize money within 24 hours,
Congratulation.

1) Full Name:
2) Full Address:
3) Security File Number:
4) Tel. Number and Fax:
5) Country of origin:
6) Options of payment/wire bank transfer/ certified check:
7) How do you feel as a winner?

NOTE: Winnings must be insured to the original value, to avoid any
unexpected situation. The deadline for these claims is 10 days After this
date, unclaimed winnings will be returned to the Spanish Economic
Ministry, and late entry penalty requirements must be met before
late entry claims can be considered. Enjoy from Burger King in Spain
Happy summer Memorial Day Eat Out, Spend less Money! A day off from work
and Enjoy. We want to know what you really think about Burger King. Is it
your favorite fast food joint?

Mrs., Maria Antonio F.
Castillo (Vice President International Prize Department)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam