419 scam: "MR. JOHN SMITH" <prctogo1@gmail.com> THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT

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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.

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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)
- "certified bank draft" (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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- flann577684@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. JOHN SMITH" <prctogo1@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2019 06:30:09 +0000
Subject: THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORT

*Hello Dear,How are you? hope you are doing good? I'm sorry for intruding
into your privacy through this means because i thought you didn't receive
my previous message as this is second message to you. I'm John Smith, I
previously contacted you long time ago regarding a multi-million-dollar
business proposal which we never concluded because you're unable to finance
my proposal then.Well, I just want to use this medium to thank you very
much for your earlier assistance to help me in receiving the funds without
any positive outcome and also inform you that the business has been
concluded with the assistance of another partner who financed the
transaction to a logical conclusion.Due to your effort, sincerity, courage
and trust worthiness you showed during the course of the transaction
despite it fail us somehow. I have decided to compensate you and show my
gratitude to you with the sum $3,500,000.00. (Three Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars)This Money are in a Certified Bank Draft in your name for
security purpose which you can deposit and clear in your Bank for your
investment life settlement.*
*Therefore, contact my Account Officer Mrs Florence Ego on her direct email
address at:( flann577684@gmail.com) for collection of your Certified Bank
Draft.*

*I have Instructed her to release it to you whenever you request for it. At
the moment, I'm very busy with my partner because of the investment project
which we are having at hand now. I will like you to accept this token with
good faith as this is from my heart.Please do not forget to let me know as
soon as you receive it.Thanks and God bless you and your family.Yours
sincerely,John Smith*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam