419 scam: " Office of John Hooks" <johnhoks11111@earthlink.net> PRIVATE DEAL/KEEP CONFIDENTAIL IS A LARGER AMOUNT OF MONEY.CONTACT ME IMMEDAITE

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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:

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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +447024042902 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
- +447045731336 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- barris.johnhooks1111@yahoo.co.uk (Yahoo, United Kingdom; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: " Office of John Hooks" <johnhoks11111@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: <barris.johnhooks1111@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 14:53:36 +0100
Subject: PRIVATE DEAL/KEEP CONFIDENTAIL IS A LARGER AMOUNT OF MONEY.CONTACT ME IMMEDAITELY.

Dearest,

I am Barrister JOHN HOOKS (Esq). I had a client who died last year.He was a Citizen of your Country and worked with MULTI-MEDIA PARTNERS INCORPORATED,London.
On the 2nd of August 2010, my client, his wife and their three children were involved in a car accident along Manchester Express Road. All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives.
Since then, I have made several frantic enquiries at your Embassy here in London, to locate any of my client's extended relatives, this has also proved no success.After these series of unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over the internet, to locate any member of his family ,but to no avail, hence I contacted you.
I have contacted you to assist me in repatriating the money left behind by my late client before they got it confiscated or declared it unserviceable by the Finance House where this money was deposited. Particularly and more seriously, the Finance House where the deceased made a deposit valued at US$20M. They gave me an ultimatum to provide the next-of-kin within the shortest possible time or have the funds indefinitely confiscated within the next ten official working days.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over nine (9) months now, I therefore seek your consent as a last resort to present you as the next of kin to the deceased (My Late Client) so that the proceeds of this deposit valued at US$20M can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money among ourselves.
I have all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make, all I require is your honest co-operation and sincerity to enable us see this transaction through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a very legitimate arrangement that will protect both of us from any breach of the law, and my profession as a lawyer guarantees that.
I shall highlight the necessary steps to take soon as I acknowledge your anticipated affirmative reply.
Telephone: +447024042902
Fax: +44-704-573-1336
Email:barris.johnhooks1111@yahoo.co.uk

Most Sincerely,

BARRT. JOHN HOOKS

Anti-fraud resources:

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