419 scam: "James Well" <johnwest002@gmail.com> VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE

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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- jabiola@superposta.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "James Well" <johnwest002@gmail.com>
Reply-To: barrjameswell@yahoo.com.vn
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 06:24:37 +0800
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Hello Dear,

I am Barrister James Well West, English speaking Beninoise, Solicitor and
Financial Attorney/Consultant. I was moved to contact you based on the present
condition of things here.

There is a foreigner who registered with my Legal firm as his personal
Attorney and he was a stock broker as well as a one time secret agent in
importing oil from overseas for our former Ministers. My client was also a
Diamond/Gold Merchant.

So, on 2nd June 2001 my client, Mr. George, made a fixed deposit
for(US$9,850,000.00)(Nine Million, Eight Hundred and fifty Thousand United
States Dollars) with a Bank here in Nigeria, with standing statement/agreement
with the bank that all correspondences in respect to the fixed deposit
contract must be sent to him through my humble chambers. Upon maturity, the
routine notification was sent to me, which I dispatched to his forwarding
address as usual without a reply. After a month, I sent a reminder which I
received from the bank without any reply again.

Finally, I discovered from my client's contract employee that he died among
many others on Sept.11, 2001 Terrorist attack. He died without making any WILL
and all attempts to trace his relatives were fruitless. I also discovered that
he did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents,
including his fixed deposit contract with the bank. Hence I seek your consent
to present you to this bank as the next of kin based on the official letter I
just received from his bankers reminding me that BENINOISE LAW states that at
the expiration of (12) years the money will be reverted to the ownership of
the BENINOISE Government if I do not confirm the next of kin to claim the fund.

Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to my deceased client so that the fruits of this old man's
labor will not go into the hands of some corrupt government officials. Note
that this transaction is simple and risk free because I will provide expert
legal services that will guarantee the successful execution of this deal. If
you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible through phone,

I shall provide you with more details and how we shall proceed with the
claims. I expect you to observe utmost confidentiality and be rest assured
that this transaction would be profitable for both of us. And if you are
interested contact me through this my private E-mail
Address:(jabiola@superposta.com)

I wait for your urgent reply with your personal telephone number and your full
data's, so that we can proceed with the proper documentation of the transfer
to your favor through legal processes.

Thanks as I wait for your Honest reply.
Best Regards,

Hon. Barrister James Well.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam