419 scam: James Freeman <mr.jamesfreeman77@gmail.com> 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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "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)
- "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)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +22998893658 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.jamesfreeman77@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
- and fax numbers contact me for more information. (mr.jamesfreeman77@gmail.com) you can also reply to my private email (Gmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: James Freeman <mr.jamesfreeman77@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2014 10:28:51 -0700
Subject: Dear Friend,

>From the Desk of Mr.James Scott.
Manager Bill and Exchange Dept
Ecobank Benin Republic cotonou.
Private phone +229 98 893 658.

Re: Immediate Transfer of $8.5million dollars"

Dear Friend,

I' know that this mail will come to you as a surprise.

Actually, I am not trying to instigate you to become maybe a partner of
crime, but a partner in a transaction that will favour both of us
financialy only if i can trust you.

I am aware of the unsafe nature of the internet, and was compelled to use
this medium due to the nature of this project,

Before i proceed my name is Mr. James scott Manager Bill and Exchange Dept
ECObank Benin Republic. I write to inform you about this great opportunity
in my office, which will benefits both of us. In my department we
discovered an abandoned sum of ($8.5million us dollars) in an account that
belongs to one of our foreign customer Late Engineer. (Fred Williams)from
West Virginia usa who unfortunately lost his life with his wife and only
daughter on auto crash with a big truck on their way back from "Obama
beach" Figirose cotonou benin republic and left huge amount of money in our
bank.

The ECObank Ceo and management has issued me a notice to provide the next
of kin to Engineer Fred williams or they have his account confiscated
within twenty one official working days. Since I have unsuccessfully in
locating his relatives for over
one and a half years,i herefore seek your consent to present you as next of
kin of the deceased, since you are a foreigner, I will give you vital
information to get this money transfer to your account.

Please i will like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and delete if
you are not interested.
Upon receipt of your reply, I will send you full details on how the
Business will be executed and also note that
you will have 40% of the Above mentioned sum. Acknowledge receipt of this
message in acceptance of my mutual business endeavour by furnishing me with
the following informations :

1. Your Full Names and Address.

2. Direct Telephone and Fax numbers

Contact me for more information. (mr.jamesfreeman77@gmail.com)
You can also reply to my private email (cum2jamesscott@yahoo.fr)

Thanks for your understanding.

regards,
Mr.James Scott.
Manager Bill and Exchange Dept
Ecobank Benin Republic.
I can be reach at +229 98 893 658.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam