419 scam: JAMES DIKKO <james.dikko@btinternet.com> FROM THE DESK OF : MR JAMES DIKKO,

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: JAMES DIKKO <james.dikko@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: jamesdikko@live.fr
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 00:02:09 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF : MR JAMES DIKKO,

FROM THE DESK OF : MR JAMES DIKKO,
AUDITING AND ACCOUNTING SECTION,
COMPANY BANK OF ATLANTIC (C.O.B.A.C.I)
ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE,WEST AFRICA.
Dear Friend,
I am Mr James Dikko, the Manager in charge of auditing and accounting section of Compnay Bank Of Atlantic (C.O.B.A.C.I),Abidjan Cote D'ivoire West Africa with due respect and regard. I have decided to contact you on a business transaction that will be very beneficial to both of us at the end of the transaction.
During our investigation and auditing in this bank , my department came across a very hugesum of money belonging to a person who died on July 2003 in a plane crash and the fund has been dormant in his account with this Bank with out any claim of the fund in our custody either from his family or relation before our discovery to this developement.
The said amount was TWENTY TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS.($22.3m)Meanwhile all the whole arrangement to put the claim over this fund as the bonafide next of kin to the deceased,get the required approval and transfer this money to a foriegn account has been put in place and directives and needed information will be relayed to you as soon as you indicate your interest and willingness to assist us and also benefit your self to this great business pportunity.
Infact i could have done this deal alone but because of my position in this country as a civiassist(A Banker),we are not allowed to operate a foriegn account and would eventually raise an eye brow on my side during the time of transfer becuase i work it may be after due verification and assist by the correspondent branch of the bank where the money will be remitted from to your own designation bank account.I will not fail to inform you that this transaction is 100% risk free.On smooth conclusion of this transaction,you will be entitled to 40% of the total sum as gratification, while 60% will be for me.
Please;you have been adviced to keep top secret as i am still in service and intend to retire from service after we conclude this deal with you,I will be monitoring the whole situation here in this bank until you confirm the money in your account and ask me to come down to your country for subsequent sharing of the fund according to percentages previously indicated and further investment,either in your country or any country you advice us to invest.
All other necessary vital information will be sent to you when i hear from you,
Yours faithfully.
Mr James Dikko.
N/B
TREAT VERY CONFIDENTIAL & URGENT RESPONSE

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