419 scam: "Mr. Michael White." <mawhite49@bellsouth.net> THANKS AND CONTACT MY PERSONAL ASSISTANCE,

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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)
- "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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Michael White." <mawhite49@bellsouth.net>
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:57:57 -0800 (PST)
Subject: THANKS AND CONTACT MY PERSONAL ASSISTANCE,

Dear Friend,

Compliments of the day and God's blessings.I am glad to inform you that I have successfully concluded the transaction,the money has been transferred to London.It was done through the assistant of Mr.Howard Ferraro who is a London base business man.Currently I am in London with him and my wife and children.
However,I did not forget you because you are the source of my success,you made me what I am now though you are not there to complete this project with me but I gave all the credit and thanks to you.I know it is not your fault or rather your wish to back off on me and the transaction,I understand it was simply because of some circumstances you could not control.

In appreciate of your assistance I have mapped out as a compensation and wrote on your favor a certified bank draft worth of ($1.2m) United States Dollars, I left the draft with my Secretary Mr.Augustine John on my departure to London.
I would like you therefore,to contact him on the below info and instruct him where to send the draft to because i have instructed him on that already.

Attn: Mr.Augustine John,
Email:( austinjohn@hosanna.net )

I would have love to call you from London where I currently reside but due to the business negotiations and efforts in trying to organise my business here,it makes me unavailable until i settle down.

Feel free to contact my secretary so that he can release your bank draft to you. Then get in touch with me once you receive your draft so that we will rejoice over that together.I will stop here.
Once again,thank you very much and remain blessed.

Regards,
Dr.Joshua Wilson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam