419 scam: "Mr John Kalu" <mrjohn_kalu@gmail.com> Your Assistance is Needed....

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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:

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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million 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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr John Kalu" <mrjohn_kalu@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mrjohn_kalu@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 11:05:53 -0500
Subject: Your Assistance is Needed....

Attn:

Please I am very sorry if you find my mail offensive,may I be allowed to introduce my self to you. My name is JOHN KALU,I work with FIRST BANK NIGERIA PLC, where I oversee private investments and accounts, as a matter of fact, I have been in charge of this duty for 12 years now. My motive for writing this mail to you is to inform you of an accountbelonging to Mr Paul Anderson who has been my client for as long as I have been with FIRST BANK NIGERIA PLC.

His account holds the sum of $10.5 million Dollars the truth now is that Mr Paul Anderson is late, and I have monitored his account with us for 4 years now, and to my greatest surprise, no one has come up for a claim till date. From my investigations and confirmation, my client left his next of kin column blank, which is why no one has knowledge of the deposit except us at FIRST BANK NIGERIA PLC.

Hence the need to get in touch with you as one who I can present as a next of kin to assist in repatriating the money left behind by my late client before they get confiscated or declared unpayable, as I have been unsuccessful in locating a relative for over 3 years now. Please be informed that the proceeds of this Deposit valued at $10.5million Dollars Will be shared as follows: 75% for my colleague and me,25% to you.

I will also like you to know that i head the verification panel of inheritance and claims at FIRST BANK NIGERIA PLC, therefore I will protect and oversee that all claims we make will be ruled in our favor and I will also use my position to procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to backup any claim we may make.

All I require is your Honest cooperation to enable this deal go through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate Arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the Law, as the funds did not originate from drug money or terrorism, but through inheritance. I have discussed this matter with my collegues and we have all agreed to find a reliable partner to have this deal with, so that the funds can be released to you in your nominated account for sharing after due processes have been followed.

Please let me have your telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.

Warmest Regards

Mr John Kalu

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam