419 scam: "Patrick Gomez" <official@outlook.com> Hi,

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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:
- "good day friend" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "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)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Patrick Gomez" <official@outlook.com>
Reply-To: patrickgomezs@consultant.com
Date: Sat, 18 May 2019 16:18:47 -0400
Subject: Hi,

Good day friend My name is Patrick Gomez, Esq, an Attorney at Law in United Kingdom I have an interesting business proposal for you that will be of immense benefit for both of us and we stand to gain £12,800,000.00 GBP between us in a matter of days,this may sound unbelievable but it is true please grant me the benefit of doubt and hear me out and i guarantee you that this business proposal is 100% risk free and will guarantee us further business and family relationship.

I need you to signify your interest by replying to this email so i will be able to reply you and provide you with more information about this business proposal your urgent reply will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards.

Patrick Gomez, Esq.
Attorney at Law, UK

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam