419 scam: Michael Lee <michaellee876@gmail.com> Hello my good 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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "barr.kwesi_johnson@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: Michael Lee <michaellee876@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 20:57:18 -0200
Subject: Hello my good friend.

Hello my good friend.

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family. You may not
understand why this mail came to you. But if you do not remember me, you
might have receive an email from me in the past regarding a
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded. I am using
this opportunity to inform you that this multi-million-dollar business has
been concluded with the assistance of another partner from Accra Ghana who
financed the transaction to a logical conclusion.

I thank you for your great effort to our unfinished transfer of fund into
your account due to one reason or the other best known to you. But I want
to inform you that I have successfully transferred the fund out of my bank
to my new partner's account in Accra Ghana that was capable of assisting me
in this great venture.

Due to your effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you shown
during the course of the transaction, I want to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you with the sum of USD $1.2million. I have left a certified
international bank draft for you worth of US$1.2million cashable anywhere
in the world.

My dear friend I will like you to contact my Lawyer Barrister Kwesi
Johnson, via his direct email address:
barr.kwesi_johnson@outlook.com for collection of your bank draft. I
authorized him to release the Bank Draft to you when ever you ask him for
it. At the moment, I'm very busy here in Syria as A Military Police, Please
I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the
bottom of my heart

Also comply with Barrister Kwesi Johnson`s directives so that he will send
the draft to you without any delay.
You are required to furnish him with the below information to enable him
deliver the cheque to you,

1. FULL NAMES:______________________
2. YOUR DELIVERY ADDRESS:____________
3. E-MAILADDRESS:_______________
4. TELEPHONE NUMBER:___________________

Hoping to hear from you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Best regard.

Michael Lee.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam