419 scam: "Mr. Bob Alvin"<bobal@qatar.io> Dear friend!!!

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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)
- "with your full names" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "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)
- "bobalvin@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Bob Alvin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bobalvin@live.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:24:09 +0300
Subject: Dear friend!!!

Dear friend,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr.Bob Alvin I am working at the office of accountant General Islamic Development Bank . I have an obscured business suggestion for you.

In November, 1999, Ahmad Fahmi an Indonesian, a contractor with the Iraqi Government and also a businessman, made a Time investment of (US$44.5M)
Forty-Four million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only in my branch( a secured growth funds for (60) sixty calendar months.

This investment has matured and has been lying in our Bank reserve for the past Five years. Under the the Islamic Development Banking laws, any time investment unclaimed after Eight and half years will be turned over to the Government purse.

Upon maturity several notices were sent to him. Another notification was sent last year and still no response came from him. Early This year, it was later discovered that the Ahmad Fahmi and his family were killed in a convoy attack in Mosul , Iraq .

After further investigation it was also discovered that Ahmad Fahmi did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his Bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was in my Office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my Bank.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Ahmad Fahmi so that you will be able to receive these funds to your possession for the both of us.

I have contacted an Attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Ahmad Fahmi, all which is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full names, Address, direct telephone and fax numbers so that the Attorney can commence his job.

After you have been made the next of kin, the Attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of probate in your favor for the transfer of the funds to your nominated bank account.

We are going to adopt a legalized method and the Attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. Please Endeavour to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.

Reply strictly if you are interested with the requested information via my personal email address so that we can proceed further.

Looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bob Alvin
bobalvin@live.com

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