419 scam: "Mr. Barrister David Mikel" <info@mtl-customs.com> UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "service fee" (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. )
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "financialoffice03@qq.com" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- davidmikel385@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Barrister David Mikel" <info@mtl-customs.com>
Reply-To: <financialoffice03@qq.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2016 23:49:07 +0200
Subject: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

To effect the release and transfer of your fund valued at $3.5 Million us dollars you are advised to contact our correspondent in Washington DC the delivery officer Mr. Travis Moore with the information below!

Name: Mr. Travis Moore
Email: financialoffice03@qq.com

Barrister David Mikel
Alternative: davidmikel385@gmail.com

You are advised to contact him with the information's as stated below:

Your full Name............
Your Address:..............
Home/Cell Phone:........
Your Occupation..........
Your Identity................
Country...................
Zip code..................
Marital Status:......................
Preferred Payment Method....(ATM card / Online Banking Transfer)

Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment package within the next 24 hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.

And make sure that you keep the receipt of the $380 payment that you made because that is the prove you will show to the delivery team when they arrive at your door step with your package of delivery.

Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM card, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with JAMES WAGNER of the ATM card payment center who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM card and Transfer payment and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.

Note: This email fully under supervision of the FBI and will be until you have your ATM card at your door step, so kindly follow the instruction and have this Card delivered to your address without any more delay by paying the UPS Courier Delivery service fee and send to United State FBI Approved officer JAMES WAGNER As stated above.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Barrister David Mikel

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam