419 scam: " Mr.John Willson" <revjohnwillson@gmail.com> Mr.John Willson.

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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:
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- john_willson@linuxmail.org (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: " Mr.John Willson" <revjohnwillson@gmail.com>
Reply-To: john_willson@linuxmail.org
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 12:00:08 +0100
Subject: Mr.John Willson.

Mr.John Willson.
Cocody Cites des
Arts,Abidjan - Cote D'Ivoire
Email:(john_willson@linuxmail.org)
Your Urgent Attention.

Permit me for using this media to write you, I am Mr.John Willson, I
work with one of the prime banks here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire as a
project and investment officer.

I am writing this letter on behalf of my client who owned one of the
largest farm in Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). My client, his wife and
three children died in a fatal accident on their way to visit Ghana
ancient museum. Since then I have made several inquiries to trace the
family or anyone who had a useful information about the family, by
birth my client is an American but they migrated to Cote D'Ivoire
since early 90s. After several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to
trace the family name from the Internet Information Program (IIP) to
see if I can get any member of his family hence I come across your
contact.

My interest on this matter is about the amount US$20.500,000.00 United
States dollars. Being the personal a/c manager of the decease, I had
been compel to submit the next of kin to the decease person but
unfortunately his wife they suppose next of kin was also involve in
the unfortunate incident that took the live of the entire family. In
order to avoid the bank from confiscating the deposit, in a
professional manner, i am considering to submit your name as a
relatives to the decease so that the deposit will be release to you.If
you are devotedly willing to handle this, I guarantee that this will
be executed under all legitimate arrangement that will protect you
from any breach of the law inasmuch as we will share the money 50/50.

Please provide me with your full Name and Address, Date of
birth,Telephone and Fax Number to enable me effect change(s) where
neccessary to the bank for claim, Note Please reply me with this
very address (john_willson@linuxmail.org) is very important to
register your interest.
Cordially,

Mr.John Willson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam