419 scam: "Patrick Robertson"<probertson2010@i12.com> Re: Investment Proposal

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "first national bank" (not involved with lotteries)
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "my names are " (a common phrase found 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.
- +27738874872 (South Africa, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Robertson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <probertson2@i12.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:53:11 +0200
Subject: Re: Investment Proposal

From: Mr. Patrick Robertson
Johannesburg, RSA
Tel: +27 73 887 4872

Re: Investment Proposal

Good Day.

This email transmission is coming to you from my residence because of it's confidential status. However, this letter contains some confidential materials and should be deleted from your mail box indicating that you are not interested concerning the proposal. For the formality of this transaction I would appreciate introducing myself.

My names are Mr Patrick Robertson, the director of audit in First National Bank Haughton Estate branch here in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We discovered an amount of $14,500.000.00 (Fourteen million five hundred thousand united states dollars) during our audit and the amount belongs to Mr. Ziya Bazhayev who died in the plane crash of Yak-40 jetliner on March 9, 2000. You may follow the Link below to read about the plane Crash which cost my client his life:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/672849.stm

I and my colleague have all the necessary documents involved in this deposit. Now I want you to stand as the next of kin and help us transfer this amount of money from the bank here to your bank in your country. We assure you that this transaction/deal is 100% risk free and I will prepare all the documentation and prove the source of the fund before the transfer.

Furthermore, I would want you to understand that this business involves two bank top officials and must not be played with. We advise that you think very well before responding to this proposal because we need a matured and strong hand that can handle this transaction.

Your percentage and other important details will be discussed once I confirm your kind willingness in assisting in the transfer.

We anticipate your prompt response indicating your willingness and readiness to proceed.

Best regards.

Sincerely,
Mr. Patrick Robertson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam