419 scam: "Mrs.Patricia Smith" <smithpat@live.com> Your Information

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",500,000" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +2348026416541 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- albertosei44@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Patricia Smith" <smithpat@live.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:49:57 -0400 (AST)
Subject: Your Information

Attn: My Dear,

I am Mrs patricia Smith, I am a US citizen, 52 years Old. I reside here in
New Braunfels Texas. My residential address is as follows. 108 Crockett
Court. Apt 303, New Braunfels Texas, United States, am thinking of
relocating since I have my money now. I am one of those that took part in
the Compensation \ Inheritance in Nigeria many years ago and they refused
to pay me, I had paid over US$26,000 while in the US, trying to get my
payment all to no avail.

So I decided to travel down to Nigeria with all my compensation \
Inheritance documents, And I was directed to meet Barrister Albert Osei,
who is the member of COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE, and I contacted him and
he explained everything to me. He said whoever is contacting us through
emails for compensation right now are fake.

He took me to the paying bank for the claim of my Compensation \
Inheritance payment. Right now I am the most happiest woman on earth
because I have received my Pending funds of $1,500,000.00 Moreover,
Barrister Albert Osei, showed me the full information of those that are
yet to receive their payments and I saw your name and email address as one
of the beneficiaries, that is why I decided to email you to stop you from
dealing with those wrong people, they are not with your funds, they are
only making money out of you. I will advise you to contact Barrister
Albert Osei.

You have to contact him directly through this information below.

COMPENSATION AWARD HOUSE

Name : Barrister Albert Osei

Email: Albertosei44@yahoo.com

Phone: +2348026416541

You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you
and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with
them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until
you have nothing.

The only money I paid after I met Barrister Albert Osei was just US$620
for the paper works, take note of that.

Once again stop contacting those people, I will advise you to contact
Barrister Albert Osei so that he can help you to Deliver your fund instead
of dealing with those liars that almost ruin my life.

Thank You and Be Blessed.
Mrs Patricia Smith.

--

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam