419 scam: "PAT CHAN" <2020investment11@att.net> YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED

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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:
- "service122@info.al" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- serviceinfodesk@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "PAT CHAN" <2020investment11@att.net>
Reply-To: <service122@info.al>
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:12:53 +0100
Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED

Attention:

I am representing an investment interest from China, interested in
overseas investment involving large volume of funds, for
which we seek your participation as an overseas representative.
The civil service regulations here, prohibits me from getting involved in
private business, while under government employment, hence this proposal to
you, in view of your impressive profile.

If you feel disposed towards the solicited role, please indicate by prompt
response, so that I may provide you further details of the transaction, and
also let you know what will be coming to you as remuneration for your
solicited role. After that we shall then come to an understanding
concerning the prospective areas of investment in your domain, that will be
conducive for investors of foreign descent.

Bear in mind however, that this is a legitimate transaction, and the only
reason why strict privacy is advised, is as the result of restrictions of
the Chinese regulations.My Emails are:serviceinfodesk@gmail.com,service122@info.al

I look forward to your prompt response.

Yours Truly,
Patrick Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam