419 scam: Mr. Ernest Joe <info2000file@libero.it> Dear Trusted Friend

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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:

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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "urgent assistance" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr. Ernest Joe <info2000file@libero.it>
Reply-To: mrernestjoe@yhaoo.fr
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:16:52 +0200
Subject: Dear Trusted Friend

Dear Friend,

I know this message may come to you as a surprise. Please am very sorry for banging into your email with out your notice. I am Mr. Ernest Joe, a personal accountant to a deceased customer of mine, who died of heart problem here in London, I need Your urgent assistance in transferring the sum Of ($ 16.521 million U.S.D) which was left in his bank account into your own personal bank account as the next of kin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5171222.stm

This money has been dormant for years here in our bank with out any one coming for the claim. After unsuccessful attempts in reaching any of his relative who will stand as the next of kin to my late client fund in the bank custody, there I decided to contact you. since you have the same surname with my deceased customer. I want to present you to the bank as the next of kin to my late client fund so that the bank will release The money to you as the nearest person to my deceased customer. Please for more information and details about this transaction i advise you to get back to me through my direct email address for the safety of the transaction.

Best Regard,
Mr. Ernest Joe

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam