419 scam: "Dr.ajonathan" <johnstonemory@bellsouth.net> ZENITH BANK(COTONOU)PLC

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +22993697514 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +22998776635 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- dr.ajonathan@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr.ajonathan" <johnstonemory@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: dr.ajonathan@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 10:27:31 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: ZENITH BANK(COTONOU)PLC

FROM DR. JONATHAN AKUNU,
REGIONAL MANAGER,
ZENITH BANK(COTONOU)PLC,
Cotonou Main Branch,
Avoturu Road,
Cotonou Benin Republic .
Attn,
I got your contact during my search for a reliable, honest and a trust
worthy person to entrust this huge transfer project with.I am the Regional
manager of the above mentioned Bank In the western region of Republic of Benin.
I am a citizen of benin married with two kids. I have contacted you so that this
transaction can benefit the both of us, knowing you are advanced in age
With the fear of God, but if you are not willing to get involved in the
Deal, do not REPLY THIS MAIL, as you will never hear from me again.
I am writing to solicit your assistance in the transfer of
Us$8.500,000.00This fund is the excess of what my branch, in which i am
the manager made as profit during the last year. I have already submitted
an approved end of the year report for the year 2009 to my head office
Here in Benin Republic, and they will never know of this fund. I have since then,
Placed this amount of US$8.500,000.00 on a suspense account without a
beneficiary.
As an officer of the bank, I cannot be directly connected to this money
thus; I am compelled to request your assistance to receive this money into
your bank account.
I intend to part 40% of this fund to you while 60% shall be for me. I do
need to stress that there are practically no risk involved in this. It is
going to be a bank-to-bank transfer. All I need is for you to stand as the
original depositor of this fund.
If you accept this offer, I will appreciate your timely response.
Here are my contacts;+229 93697514 or +229 98776635
And my direct Email Address; dr.ajonathan@yahoo.com

So respond to me with this necessary informations of your,s

your name..............................
your country......................
your city........................
your home address............................
your tel number.....................
fax.........................

With Regards.
DR. JONATHAN AKUNU.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam