419 scam: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT <jmike656@yahoo.com> URGENT REPLY NEED

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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:
- "million british pounds" (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)
- "u.k " (this email uses bad English)
- "mike_john@contractor.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +447014262167 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT <jmike656@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mike_john@contractor.net
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2012 13:09:26 +0530
Subject: URGENT REPLY NEED

For a brief on my personality; my Name is ENGINEER MIKE JOHN a Retired United Nation, (UN)Worker, I'm from Iraq but I based in U.K ( Great Britain ) I am 58 years of age, married with wife and 4 (four) lovely children

I am interested in establishing and operating a very viable business as a means of investment abroad. I do not know too well on how this can be done in your country, and I will need you to help me in this regard,

My preference is Real Estate Investment, or any good profit yielding businesses and I would appreciate any viable ideas you could come up with. I will also need you to assist me in getting me properties like Home and Agriculture Lands, as I am proposing to invest the sum of (1.7 MILLION BRITISH POUNDS) I do not know if you can be of help to me, I have had so many problems with the British Government just because I was formerly holding a public office and they want to investigate my assets.

My need for this business proposition and to acquire these properties is very urgent as I am planning to move out of U.K. with my family down to your country, I want you to help me in finding a good home where my family and I will live in. (Mini Estate) Please I expect your good and prompt reply so that we can proceed swiftly I will need your phone and fax numbers for easier communication with you..

Regards,
Email: mike_john@contractor.net
ENGR. MIKE JOHN
+447014262167
+447014262173

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam