419 scam: Luis Thomas <desdom777@yahoo.ca> From: Luis Thomas

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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 us 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Luis Thomas <desdom777@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: thomas.luis20@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:10:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From: Luis Thomas

From: Luis Thomas
Cote D'Ivoire - West Africa.

My Dear,

I come across your profile here and have decided to get in touch with you after My prayer, to see if you can help me solve my problem.

My name is Mr. Luis Thomas, 22years old boy. Am the only Son of late (Mr. Festus Thomas) Who lost his life in the course of the crisis in Ghana on the 7th of November last year on his way to their company (Nestle Food Plc).

My father willed in cash, the sum of $8.5 Million US Dollars which he deposited in a Fixed/Suspense account here in Cote D'Ivoire in West Africa , with enabling conditions for the release of the money which are as follows:

(1) That upon request for the release of the fund, there must be evidence of investment intentions especially outside the West Africa , I contact you
therefore to confirm if you can absorb me in partnership in your company or possibly advise me on any investment opportunity in your country.

When I reach agreement with you, the bank will release my money into your account that you shall nominate and I will come over to your country to commence business partnership with you. And to continue my studies, because my life is no longer safe here. That is why I contacted you.

However, I wish to hear from you to know your decision concerning this proposal. Please I am expecting your urgent responds.

My regards, to you and your family.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Luis Thomas.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam