419 scam: "patvin" <patvin@centrum.sk> Dear One,

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "liberia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a orphan scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "patvin" <patvin@centrum.sk>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:53:41 +0200
Subject: Dear One,

Dear One,

I hope that my mail meets you in good condition,I am writing to you based on your profile I saw while searching for a trust worthy person to help me secure my inheritance from my late husband.

The present war in Isreal reminds me of how my husband was killed in Liberia by the ECOMOG troops who entered and killed my husband who was the the chariman of board of trustees of Gold miners association in Liberia,before his death he deposited the sum of $10m in a security company in Abidjan Cote D'Ivoire,after his death I took the documents covering the deposit to Abidjan to claim the box but unfortunately the security company board refered me to an agreement that was signed by my husband the day he deposited the box with them that only the foreign beneficiary who will be introduced by his next of kin being myself will have the right to claim the box on my behalf.The beneficiary space is vacant for me to introduce one to them.

Based on the above order I am apealing for you to join me as my foreign beneficiary to claim the box from the security company and help in guiding me on a good investment in your country,the security company do not know the real content of the box but they registered it as containing family valuables and that is what is written in the certificate of deposit I have here.Once you agree to help I will forward to you the contact address of the security company for you to contact them.Hoping to hear from you immediately.

Thanks and God bless you.

Yours sincerely,

Patricia Vincent.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam