419 scam: "Kelvin Cox." <gopalpatel2006@gmail.com> Remain blessed.

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (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)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Kelvin Cox." <gopalpatel2006@gmail.com>
Reply-To: nnpcxx11@yahoo.co.jp
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 10:10:39 +0100
Subject: Remain blessed.

Dear friend.

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I
believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Kelvin Cox, a merchant in London UK but currently undergoing
treatment. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer which was
discovered very late, due to my laxity in carrying for my health. It has
defiled all forms of medicine, and right now I have only about a few months
to live, according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for
anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never
generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as
that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now
know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the
money in the world. I believe when God gives me a second chance to come to
this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it.

Now that God! Has called me, I have willed and given most of my properties
and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few
close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul and so, I
have decided to give arms to charity organizations and give succor and
comfort to the less privileged in our societies, as I want this to be one
of the last good deeds I do on earth.

So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the
U.A.E, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so
badly, I cannot do this my self anymore. I once asked members of my family
to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to
charity organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan;
they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of 5.5
million dollars that I have with a Security Company for safe
keeping. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to
some charity organizations and to the less privileged.

Please send me a mail to indicate if you will assist me in this
disbursement. I have set aside 15% for you for your time and patience.

While I wait to hear from you, may God be with you and your entire family.

Remain blessed.
Kelvin Cox.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam