419 scam: "BILL THOMSON" <shanekeith@phatfrog.com> GOOD DAY MY 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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "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)
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.
- billthomson233@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "BILL THOMSON" <shanekeith@phatfrog.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 20:12:57 +0100
Subject: GOOD DAY MY FRIEND

Dear ,

My name is Bill Thomson from Coleman & Jakes Solicitors.London-United Kingdom.

This is to let you know about my late client whose relatives I cannot get in touch with. I am compelled to do this because I would not want the bank to push my clients funds ($9 million dollars) into the bank treasury as unclaimed inheritance.This mail is written and intended to solicit your assistance to be presented as NEXT OF KIN to my Late Client since you are a foreigner because only a foreigner can lay claims on this inheritance and get this fund transferred into your nominated account. Though I know that a transaction of this magnitude will make any one apprehensive and worried, but I am assuring you that everything has been taken care off, and all will be well at the end of the day. I decided to contact you due to the urgency of this transaction.

You can confirm this from the website below which was published by BBC WORLD NEWS. WEBSITE.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/502503.stm

The Governing Body of the Bank has contacted me on this matter and I am yet to provide the Next of Kin to lay claims to the Fund. Under a clear and legitimate agreement with you, I shall seek your consent to be presented as the next of Kin so that my late Clients Fund will not be Confiscated by the Bank and pushed into the bank treasury as unclaimed bills. For the sake of Transparency on this matter, you are free to make immediate contact for further clarification and explanation on this matter.

I will need you also to reconfirm your Full Name, Address and contact telephone number to ascertain the fact that you are ready to do the business with me.
Thank you very much for your anticipated acceptance while I expect your prompt response to this matter as the urgency demands. reply to my direct email id billthomson233@yahoo.com

Yours Faithfully,

From Bill Thomson,

Coleman and Jakes Solicitors

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam