419 scam: "Mrs.PATRICIA WILLIAMS" <maxizero@alice.it> PAYMENT HAS BEEN SENT TODAY

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +22994883262 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.PATRICIA WILLIAMS" <maxizero@alice.it>
Reply-To: union.westernunio@yandex.com
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2015 13:46:10 +0100 (CET)
Subject: PAYMENT HAS BEEN SENT TODAY

PAYMENT HAS BEEN SENT TODAY

I know it is because of your past expenses that make you not to believe me
but
I told you before that I cannot deceive you
because my bible says what shall it
profit a man to gain material things and loose your soul, any way their is
good
news now, i raised some money to help you out and make sure that your payment
will be release to you the same day you send the $49 as well.

I borrowed money yesterday after service from my Pastor, and then you have to
send
the remain balance now only $49 but I don't see the reason you have to keep
silent on me, honestly I am just disappointed at your behaviors before because
you know that I cannot deceive you, Just pay the $49 and leave rest for me
watching me if I am telling you lies.

Your payments is already approval today for you to receive it but the
management here says that you must pay $49 for the Stamp and activation charge
before you can receive the payment today, please send the charge through Money
Gram or Western Union immediately, i have assured you a time without number
that this is genuine and legitimate.

I swear If I fail to release your payment after you send the $49 as I promise
don't count on me again, I cannot fail you, I promise you, donâ€™t fear as soon
as you send the $49. Today please leave the rest to me and see if I am lying
to
you because I can not use my life swear because of $49. How can I swear
against?
my life because of this small amount? it is to show you that I am telling you
the truth.
So make sure that you try your possible best to look for the money and Pay it
immediately via Money Gram or Western Union with the Payment Information Below:

Receiver Name ::::::::ANAROBI ALEXANDER NNELUO
Country :::::::: Benin Republic
City :::::::: Cotonou
Question :::::::: God
Answer :::::::: Bless
Amount :::::::: $49
REFRENCE Number,--
Sender's name::::::::

AFTER YOU SEND THE FEE$49.00 RECONFIRMS YOUR FULL INFORMATION BELOW,

Your receives nameâ€¦..
Your countryâ€¦.
Text questionâ€¦..
Text answersâ€¦â€¦
City name......
Your telephone numberâ€¦.
Copy of ID cardâ€¦â€¦
Your occupationâ€¦..

I promise you as soon as we hear from you with the payment of $49 today we
shall send your pick up information the same day you send the $49. I swear.
Note higher authorities that is in charge of international transaction has
this
morning declared that you will receive your $2.5,000.00 through Western Union
or
money gram Money Transfer Only as a compensation for your past effort here in
Benin
Republic.

Yours Sincerely
Mrs.PATRICIA WILLIAMS
+229 9488 3262

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam