419 scam: Staff George white <kinnan8@biznetvigator.com> What is going on, who is Patricia John?

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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:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money gram" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Staff George white <kinnan8@biznetvigator.com>
Reply-To: horst-hieter@r7.com
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 04:11:46 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: What is going on, who is Patricia John?

Dear, Friend,

I was trying to get you on phone regarding your US $4.500.000.00, but it seems as you don't want to speak with me. However, this Patricia John visited my office on Tuesday 15th, April, 2014 with a Beninios lawyer and application of claim over your USD $4.500,000.00 with this financial institution.

Please, do confirm to me, as matter of urgency if this man is really from you so that this office will not be held responsible for paying wrong person.

Based on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve the payment on his favour since you failed to fulfill the obligation given to you by the Money Gram to process your payment. Therefore, if you are really serious and willing to receive the your funds through Money Gram , kindly get back to me and I will work with you to complete the Money Gram payment processing fees so that you will start receiving first USD$5000.00 everyday.

Since Money Gram Payment processing fee is $175.00 in my concerted efforts to actualize your fund payment with the convenient time schedule I will raise $147.00, so I am expecting $28.00 from you today.

As an insider in this Financial Institution, I must assure you that once you have provided to the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer the funds to you within 6hours we confirm this $28.00. YES you must receive the first $5,000 within 6hours after you send this $28.00 Kindly make the payment to:

Here is our MONEY GRAM receiver information below:

1. RECEIVER NAME ======= EDWIN OBALIMU,
2. COUNTRY ======= COTONOU_BENIN REPUBLIC.
3. QUESTION ======= IN GOD
4. ANSWER ======= WE TURST
5. AMOUNT ======= US$28.00
6. MTCN NUMBER =======

I will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy payment left behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit it, i believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable human-being will never allow to slip by.

Am waiting for your urgent response.
Staff George white,
Tell: +299-667-59-918
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam