419 scam: "Foreign Remittance" <bar_patrickwilliams@hotmail.com> Urgent Attention/Dear: Beneficiary!!!

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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "foreign remittance manager" (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)
- "million 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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "central bank of nigeria" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "foreignremittancedpartment@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +2347096268113 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Foreign Remittance" <bar_patrickwilliams@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: foreignremittancedpartment@w.cn
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:39:54 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: Urgent Attention/Dear: Beneficiary!!!

Foreign Remittance Dpartment
Tel:+234-709-626-8113
E-mail: foreignremittancedpartment@w.cn

Our Ref: CBN/OHG/OXD1/2010

Your Ref:.................

TELEX: CBN BANK.

PAYMENT FILE: CBN/BTN/2010.

Dear: Beneficiary

Our records of outstanding contractors due for payment, with the federal
government of Nigeria, Your name was discovered as next on the list of the
outstanding contractors who have not received their payments. I am
Dr.Patrick Williams. The Foreign Remittance Manager central Bank Of
Nigeria(CBN)

I want you to know that your payment is valid and maintained with us here.
I have ensured that you receive your fund through an international
certified bank draft OR through banking wiring transfer, acceptable and
payable to you.
I can not vividly explain how this payment was generated / occurred to
you, but i was informed before I resumed my humble office in the month of
June first 2010 that a contract with the federal government was executed
in your favor by a foreign contractor, who at the point of execution did
not receive his payments.

Coupled with the fact that the computer departments of the central bank
was burnt down some months ago before I resumed this humble office, and
all available informations as regards your informations that was dropped
by the foreign contractor contractor of your country was missing as well.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be
released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from
my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is $20.7 million
dollars (Twenty million seven hundred thousand united states dollars ).

Please re-confirm to me if this is inline with what you have in your
record and also re-confirm to me the followings

KINDLY RESPOND BACK TO ME WITH THIS EMAIL,

1) Your full name.
2) Phone, fax and mobile
3) Company name, position and address.
4) Profession, age and marital status.

As soon as this informations are received, your payment will be made to
you in a certified bank draft or by transfer from central bank of Nigeria
.

You must call me on my direct number (+234-709-626-8113)as soon as you
receive this letter for a serious discussion with me
CONGRATULATIONS.

Dr.Patrick Williams.
Foreign Remittance Manager,
Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam