419 scam: "Dr. Colin Wong"<cw2h.patronas@gmail.com> Dear Esteemed Invitee-2013.

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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:
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- cw2h.patronas@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Colin Wong" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <colinwong.2h@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2013 04:36:09 -0400
Subject: Dear Esteemed Invitee-2013.

Dear Esteemed Invitee,
Hi. I am Colin Wong, a member of the Board of several PETRONAS subsidiary companies. Over the past three decades, I have worked to develop multiple research initiatives across the world, in particular investigating in improving oil recovery factor and environmental solutions as a means of enhancing competitiveness of PETRONAS and Malaysia.
At this time, I am writing to you to make a proposal regarding investment collaboration opportunity. I am proposing to you a business investment partnership opportunity, which I need someone with your background who will handle multimillion dollars investment in your country. I found you through Google-search directory and as you read this, if you are interested in working with me on this multimillion dollars investment collaboration and related future projects, please email me back as soon as possible for the details of the investment funds and procedures in sequence.
Furthermore, I want every of my dealings with you to be carried out legally, genuinely and transparent. And I hope that this letter finds you well. I greatly appreciate your time with regard to this matter.

Thank you again for your time, as I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Colin Wong
Email: cw2h.patronas@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam