419 scam: "Michael Joseph"<foks@e-pila.pl> ATTN: FRIEND

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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:
- "top of the day to you" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +4407087627563

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Joseph" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <josephm119@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 May 2014 10:11:51 -0400
Subject: ATTN: FRIEND

David and Associates
77 Acacia Road, London,
SW16 5QB, England UK
Tel: +44(0) 708 762 7563
Fax: +44(0) 843 265 2405

Dear Friend,

Top of the day to you.

I got your email from a private search online with my client's last name,it is understandable that you might be a little bit apprehensive because you do not know me but I have a lucrative business proposal of mutual interest to share with you. I got your reference in my search for someone who suits my proposed business relationship,My Client (Engr.Phillips who bears the same last name with you) Deposited with a value of US$6.5m(Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) only in a Bank in England,United Kingdom.

Upon maturity several notice was sent to him and no response came from him,another notification was sent early February last five years and still no response came from him. The Bank officially sent two-man delegate to his residence in United States Of America were he reside only to find out that the business mogul has passed on,According to the Banking laws of my country, at the expiration of one year (1 year) the funds will revert to the ownership of UK Government if nobody applies to claim the funds,I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Client to enable you receive the funds.

Lets put heads together to see how we can transfer these funds out of UK and use it judiciously,I am the Attorney (Esq. Michael Joseph) that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to My Client. We are going to adopt a legalized method and i will prepare all the necessary documents and no risk involve. Note that sharing percentage is negotiable by the two parties. Contact me if you are interested and more details will be provided to you about the Project.

Since the Bank and I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives in Us,Australia,Europe,Israel and Asia for over 9 years now I seek your consent to present you to the bank as the next of kin of the deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$6.5m(Six Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) can be paid to your account or any Offshore account and then you and I can share the money in a percentage of 45% each, while 10% should be for expenses or tax as your government may require, indicate your interest by sending below information:
(1) Your First Name: ________Last Name______
(2) Your Address:_________________
(3) Your Tele & Fax Number:_________________
(4) Your Occupation:_________Age__________
(5) Gender:__________Marital Status:_______
(6) Country

I was contacted by the Bank to provide his next of kin I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this proposal is hitch-free and that you should not entertain any fears as the required arrangements have been made for the completion of this transaction, I require only a solemn confidentiality On this.

I await your urgent response.

Regards,
Esq. Michael Joseph
Tel: +44(0) 708 762 7563
Fax: +44(0) 843 265 2405
***CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE***This message and any information transmitted with it is intended for the person or entity to which it is addressed and
is subject to the attorney-client privilege, is work-product, and is confidential material.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam