419 scam: AUDITOR THY COLLYNS <thycollins1981@gmail.com> FROM: AUDITOR COLLINS THY

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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 sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million 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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- +27735546440 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- thycollins1981@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: AUDITOR THY COLLYNS <thycollins1981@gmail.com>
Reply-To: thycollins13@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 05:41:14 -0800 (PST)
Subject: FROM: AUDITOR COLLINS THY

FROM: AUDITOR COLLINS
THY

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mr. Collins Thambo,
an Auditor with of a reputable bank here in Africa
and with my position; I was privileged to see a file of a deceased customer with
amount of US $6Million Dollars Only.

I have insured and secured in the banks
escrow account here in our of the branch and what I need now is a trust worthy
Foreigner whom I will work in hand with, to transfer this money to his company
or private account immediately for investment.

I will use my position to
influence this project in other to expedite action on the transfer, Send me the
following information below for agreement purpose and to enable me secure on
your behalf affidavit of change of account name to yours.

Then I shall tell you the next step, this
will enable me apply for the change of ownership of the fund to yours as the
next of kin for the over due fund for payment.

1. Full Names:

2. Address:

3. Occupation:

4. Age and Sex:

5. Private phone: & fax Number:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6627485.stm
Reply to private Email: thycollins1981@gmail.com
Call
me on Tel: +27 735 546 440, if you're interested.

Thanks and Best Regards,
Mr.. Collins Thambo

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam