419 scam: "Diplomat Joe Patrick"<admin@videoscuriosidades.com> READ AND REPLY ASAP

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "affidavit " (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Diplomat Joe Patrick" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <diplomatjoepatrick1@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:44:12 +0100
Subject: READ AND REPLY ASAP

>From the Desk of:
Mr. Joe patrick

How are you today? I am Mr. Joe patrick the Director of national warehouse where fund/valuables consignments are lodged for safety. I wish to seek your assistance for the transfer of a consignment funds of US$25M to you. this consignment funds is for a foreign investor that has remained dormant for years now. on my research I discovered that the consignment fund holder Mr. John Mohawk died on the 10th of December 2006 and did not make any WILL on the depository. You are free to read Mr. John Mohawk's Obituary.

http://artvoice.com/issues/v5n51/saying_oh

This consignment funds can only be approved to you, If you will stand as next of kin to the consignment fund holder Mr. John Mohawk, it will be shared 50% for me and 50% for you, as this is a TWO-man business deal transaction.

I shall provide you with more details and relevant documents that will help you finalize this transaction without any hitches. I need your assistance and co-operation to this reality as I have done my Home-work and fine tune the best way to create you as the beneficiary of the fund. My position as the Comptroller of Fund Movement Terminal and Director of the national warehouse will be used to advance this deal.

I will like you to provide immediately your full Names and Address, Date of Birth, Occupation, Tel & Fax Numbers, so that an Attorney will be able to prepare the necessary documents and affidavit which will put you in place as the next of kin to the fund holder Mr. John Mohawk. The Attorney will draft and carry out the notarization of the WILL and also obtain the necessary documents and letter of probate/administration in your favor for the claim.

I will appreciate your early reply for commencement of business. Contact me for acknowledgment by E-mail and whereby you are not interested; please indicate in your reply so that I can seek for the assistance of someone else.

If this proposal is acceptable by you, I expect that you will not take undue advantage of the trust I have bestowed in you.

Thanks with great regards.
Mr. Joe patrick

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam