419 scam: "SR. FRANCIS DOSSOU" <matodi544@yahoo.fr> PLEASE CALL ME NOW

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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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- +22995792166 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "SR. FRANCIS DOSSOU" <matodi544@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: mrjones5414@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:32:23 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: PLEASE CALL ME NOW

Dear Friend,

I am Sr. Francis Dossou, Auditor, with Accounting Department, Ecobank herein Cotonou, Benin Republic. I am writing following an oppurtunity in my office that will be of immense benefit to both of us. I have decided to contact you purely on the personal conviction of trust and confidence that we can co-operate with one another and do a very lucrative business for our mutual benefit.

The Business I am proposing to you is in respect of the sum of US$18,170,000.00(Eighteen Million One Hundred and Seventy Thousand united state dollars Only) deposited in a Dollar account with my bank which belonged to Mr. Omar Hadid a government contractor residing in Iraq who unfortunately lost his life in a bomb blast with his entire family.

You shall read more about the bomb blast and the money on visiting this site.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

I came across his name in my audit with the bank here and decided to investigate on him and the money knowing he was dead.Since I got the information about this money and bomb blast and the death of our client, I felt bad because from my adequate investigation, I gathered that all his family members were involved in the bomb blast there by living nobody to claim the above mentioned fund. It is against the background of the foregoing,that i have decided to contact you for assistance and partnership, for you to stand as the next of kin to Late Omar Hadid.

Because the banking law and guidelines here stipulates that such money remained after five years, the money will be transferred into banking treasury as unclaimed funds. With your permission this fund will be transferred to your private account abroad as the beneficiary and next of kin to Late Omar Hadid of Iraq .

All proof of claim and necessary documentation will be carefully worked out in your favour and i assure you of 100% risk free involvement and protection. Consequently, if you find this proposal acceptable to you and you wish to assist me, I expect your urgent response and upon receipt of that ,we shall discuss and agree on the disbursement and sharing ratio.
Let me therefore expect your very urgent response through my phone,Please endeavour to include your full name and address, private phone and fax number for our easy communication .

Please keep our dealings very private and confidential whether you are interested or not .As
I await your urgent response. Please kindly reply to this letter and as well state your wish in this deal .

Thank you and best regards.

Yours Faithfully,
Sr. Francis Dossou
Tel:+229 95792166.

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