Roy Atkinson - Advance Fee Fraud

The Commission has recently become aware of a number of emails received by members of the Public purporting to have been sent by the above named individual.

Within the emails it is claimed that the above named individual is “Manager (Information Technology & Operations), Isle of Man Bank Limited, 2, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man”

The email goes on to claim that a “Mr John Sonne”, was killed when “a registered small jet crashed into an airport hanger during takeoff” in Panama City. It further alleges that “Neither him nor his wife who he used as his next of kin are alive since the incident claimed the lives of the entire family, leaving no one alive to claim the sum of ($14,000,000.00USD), he left in his bank account” which is alleged to be with Isle of Man Bank Limited.

The email seeks assistance of the recipient to “sign and fax back THE CLAIMS/PAYMENT FORM which” the sender “shall send to” the recipient “this form bearing” the signature and names of the recipient “would be used to apply for the transfer of the funds to your bank account presenting and making you the true beneficiary: next of kin to the late JOHN SONNE”

The email offers 30% of the proceeds of the transaction to the recipient.

The email gives details of several contact numbers for the above named individual. None of the numbers quoted are Isle of Man numbers. Enquiries by the Commission indicate that several of the numbers may possibly be issued by United Kingdom telecommunication service providers. The “mobile” number quoted in the email has a Senegal dialing code.

The Commission wishes to draw attention to the following observations regarding the aforementioned emails:

There is a genuine holder of an Isle of Man Banking License called Isle of Man Bank Limited. Details of all licence holders of the Commission are available.

There is no “Manager (Information Technology & Operations)” by the name of Roy Atkinson employed by the genuine Isle of Man Bank Limited.

The air crash in Panama referred to in the email has been widely reported and is a fact. Enquiries by the Commission have established, however, that the names of all victims of that air crash have also been widely reported and no John Sonne is listed as being amongst them.

Under the circumstances the Commission feels that these emails are being issued to either tempt the recipient into becoming the victim of an Advance Fee Fraud.

or are an attempt at gaining personal data from the recipient in order to steal their identity.

Under the circumstances the Commission would encourage people receiving emails matching the above description to refrain from responding to them in any way.

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings resulting from the above email and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689313 or by email to fsc@gov.im . Any persons who have paid out funds in relation to the above email or who have provided personal financial details in relation to the above email should consider contacting their local police fraud unit without delay.

FSC reference: JPM/26/2004