419 scam: "Johan Dickson" <johan.dickson@yahoo.com> URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

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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:

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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- johandickson49@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Johan Dickson" <johan.dickson@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: johandickson49@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:11:54 -0800
Subject: URGENT AND CONFIDENTIAL

Dear Friend,
Reply to johandickson49@hotmail.com <http://us.mc768.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=johandickson49@hotmail.com>
My name is Mr.Johan Dickson, a Solicitor and Attorney based in London . A deceased client of mine, by name Mr. Gerald Wilson died in New Orleans with his wife and two children as a result of
Hurricane Katrina. Before the horrible incident, he deposited with a Security Company a consignment with an Insurance value of $17.5m. For a long period, he has not been seen as no one has come up to claim the consignment.
The security company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the consignment will be confiscated. My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the heir, next of kin and beneficiary to my late client, so that the consignment can be released to you, then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed-upon percentage.
All legal documents to back up your claim as my client's next-of-kin will be provided, all I require and request from you is your honest cooperation to enable us see this transaction through. This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.
If this business proposition offends your moral values, do accept my apology. Please contact me at My private Email; johandickson49@hotmail.com <http://us.mc768.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=johandickson49@hotmail.com> once to indicate your interest.
However if you are willing to assist me in this venture I shall be very grateful to hear from you and bring you into a much better picture of the situation.
Now my questions are:-
1. Can you handle this project?
2. Can I give you this trust?
3. What will be your commission?
I look forward to your prompt response.
Best Regards,
Mr Johan

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam