419 scam: Patrick Leong <safepatt@yahoo.co.uk> =?iso-8859-1?Q?RE=3A_TRANSFER_OF_=A3156=2C000=2C000=2E

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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:
- "will come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "transfer into your account" (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 pounds" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
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.
- +447045708071 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: Patrick Leong <safepatt@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: safepatt1@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 16:07:44 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?RE=3A_TRANSFER_OF_=A3156=2C000=2C000=2E_00?=

Attn:

RE: TRANSFER OF £156,000,000. 00

I am quite Sure that this mail Will come to you as a surprise Since I have not been having previous correspondences with you.

Actually, One of our accounts, with holding balance of £156,000,000.00(One Hundred and Fifty Six Million Pounds Sterling) has been dormant and last operated three years ago. From my investigations and confirmation, the owner of the said account,died in a plane crash. Therefore, the account has no beneficiary and no other person knows about this account.

I guarantee that this will be executed under a concrete special arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. I will not fail to bring to your notice that this transaction is hitch-free and you should not entertain any fears as the required arrangements have been made for the completion of this transfer.

I am in close contact with the bank manager here who is my partner and is willing to approve the transfer to any reliable and trustworthy foreigner with foreign bank account because the former owner of the a/c is a foreigner. The account has no written or oral WILL attached to it. I will provide the necessary information and documents needed in order to claim this money if you agree to receive this fund in your account pending my arrival in your country for sharing and on receipt of your Bank Account Details where the fund will be transferred.

We will start the first transfer with £56,000,000.00. At the end, 60% will be for me, 35% for you and the remaining 5% will be set aside for expenses incurred on both sides during the course of transfer into your account.

There is no risk involved as every arrangement has been well perfected. I will furnish you with further details about the transaction only if you are interested.

Cell: +447045708071

Your cooperation is highly needed.

Yours Faithfully,
Mr. Leong Patrick

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam