419 scam: Thom Godwin <godwinthom11@yahoo.com> Hello dear,

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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:
- "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)
- "contact me immediately" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +447045761092 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- thomgodwin@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Thom Godwin <godwinthom11@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Thom Godwin <thomgodwin52@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:40:48 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Hello dear,

Good Day,

This Message Might Meet You In Utmost Surprise. However, It's Just My Urgent Need For Foreign Partner That Made Me To Contact You For This Transaction.
My name is Thom Godwin I am a Banker by Profession from United Kingdom and currently a staff of Barclays Bank London. I Have The Opportunity of transferring the left over sum Of ($10.5 Million Dollars) That Belongs To Late Mr. Mark Prior Who Died Along With His Entire Family In The Tsunami Disaster In Indonesia in 2004 And Since Then The Fund Has Been In A Suspense Account.

After My Further Investigation, I Discovered That Mr. Mark Prior Died With His Next Of Kin And According To The Laws And Constitution Guiding This Banking Institution it Stated That After The Expiration Of (7) Seven Years, If No Body Or Person Comes For The Claim As The Next Of Kin, The Fund Will Be Channeled Into National Treasury As Unclaimed Fund. Because Of The Static nature Of This Transaction I Want You To Stand As The Next Of Kin So That Our Bank Will Accord You Their Recognition And Have The Fund Transferred To Your Account.

Hence, I Am Inviting You For A Business Deal Where This Money Can Be Shared Between Us In The Ratio Of 60% For Me And 40% For You. And Any Expenses Incidentally incurred During the Transfer Will Be Incurred by Both of Us. The Transfer Is Risk Free on Both Sides Hence You Are Going to Follow My Instruction Till the Funds is transferred to Your Account.
Further Details Of The Transfer And Text Of Application Form Will Be Forwarded To You As Soon As I Receive Your Return Mail And You Should Contact Me Immediately As Soon As You Receive This Letter. Send your reply to my private email address (thomgodwin@yahoo.com).

Your Full Name.....................
Your Sex...............................
Your Age..................................
Your Country.......,.....................
Marital Status...................................
Your Occupation........................................
Your Personal Mobile Number.....................
Your Personal Fax Number......................

Trusting To Hear From You Immediately.

Regards,
Mr. Thom Godwin.
+447045761092

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam