419 scam: "Patrick Jin"<pat.jin@hotmail.com> FYI***************(Reply Soonest.)

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand 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)
- "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)
- "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)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Jin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <patrickjin125@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:03:36 +0100
Subject: FYI***************(Reply Soonest.)

Dear Friend.

I have been in search of someone that can join me in a transaction that i know that it will benefit both of us because is stress free, so when I saw your profile I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other on this transaction. I am Mr. Patrick in. I believe it is destiny for me to come across you. A funds was deposit with my bank in 2007, valued at US$10,400,000.00 (10 Million, Four Hundred Thousand US Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was this 16 of January 2011. The one who deposited the money is no where to been found and i will like you to work with me to claim the funds.

My bank management is yet to know about this money, I knew about it because i was the officer in charge of the transaction when the money was deposited in our bank with the depositor. he did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that I should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

if my Bank Directors happens to know that the depositor has not come to the bank for long time they will want to take the funds for their self, I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate
arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law.

Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response, We can as well discuss this on phone; let me have your telephone number and also know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day and remain blessed.

Regards,
Patrick Jin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam