419 scam: "MR. BEN THOMAS."<QWYRXAASFX@aol.jp> REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANT.

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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:
- "million 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mr.ben_thomas@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. BEN THOMAS." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mr.benthomas@yahoo.com.ph>
Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 11:14:18 -0700
Subject: REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANT.

Hello Dear,

I have a very important request that make me to contact you. I am Mr. Ben Thomas, I solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making a business investment and transfer of Twenty Million United States Dollars (US$20 Million) to your country within the Next few days. My client Late Khamis Gaddafi, the son of Late Muammar Al-Gaddafi, had a deposit of US$20 Million with EURO FINANCE LIMITED here in London.

Presently I am in United States for an official assignment but I work as a senior account officer, Offshore Mortgage & Services with Euro Finance Limited, London UK. But at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this profitable Business investment until I get your response by mail or telephone. This transaction is totally free of risk and troubles as the fund is legitimate and does not originate from drug, money laundry, terrorism or any other illegal act, funds will be released to you after necessary processes have been followed.

Please take out a moment of your very busy schedule today to respond back if you are interested; I wish for your utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction. Let me hear from you as soon as you get this message, so we can proceed. Contact me through my private email: mr.ben_thomas@yahoo.com

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Mr. Ben Thomas.

Sen. Accounts Director.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam