419 scam: "Col. William D. Patrick"<colwilldptric@outlook.com> I look forward for your prompt response

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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)
- "million 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)
- ",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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Col. William D. Patrick" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <colwildpa@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:21:12 -0000
Subject: I look forward for your prompt response

From : Col William D. Patrick
2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment Patrols.
Anbar province, Iraq.

Dear Friend,

Good day and compliments, I know this letter will definitely come to you as a huge surprise, I am Col. William D. Patrick, serving in the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment which Patrols the Anbar province,Iraq.

I am desperately in need of assistance and I have summoned up courage to contact you. I am presently in Iraq. I am seeking your assistance to
safe keep the sum of $15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million US Dollars) in your custody for disbursement and establishment in USA or any country of your choice.

Presently I and two of my other colleagues have successfully secured this money and sent it to a Vault Company in Ghana awaiting your response to enable us execute this deal.

Note: every precautions were taken to make sure we have a hitch free transaction, so it is a risk free transaction and there is nothing to fear.

All we need is your sincerity and total commitment to work with us as partner and this fund will be transferred to you.

You will find more about this fund on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm

We will discuss in detail when I receive your reply.

Thanks as I wait for your reply.

With regards,

Col William D. Patrick.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam