419 scam: Thomas Dobell <webster15@btinternet.com> re

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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.

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: Thomas Dobell <webster15@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: dobellpersonalissues1@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:13:25 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: re

Dear Partner,

How are you doing? My name is Thomas Dobell I am an attorney. A client of mine hat shares the same last name as yours, who here in after shall be referred to as my client, died as the result of a heart problem in 2008. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family, I have contacted you to assist in distributing the money left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance company where he deposited huge amount of money. This Finance company has issued me a notice to contact the next of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My dear I want to present you as the sole beneficiary of my named client, since you have the same last name, so that the proceeds of this account can be paid 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 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 due to fact that I am still in active service with my firm I must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence to keep this matter extraordinary confidential, whatever your decision, while I await your prompt response. I will like you to acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail as soon as possible. I await the pleasure of your response.

Regards,

Thomas Dobell

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam