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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "eric wong" <wong12003@msn.com>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2006 13:12:20 +0000
Subject: LET US DO THIS TOGETHER

MR.ERIC WONG
Wing Lung Bank Ltd.
Kowloon Rd Junction Branch.
Western Province,
Hong Kong.

I am Mr.Eric Wong Human resource Manager of Wing Lung Bank Ltd. I have
an important business proposition for you.


On October 6, 2001, a German Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese
Solid Minerals corporation, Mr. Olaf Partetzke made a numbered time (Fixed)
Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$18,500,000.00 (Eighteen
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars only) in my branch.

Upon maturity,I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but
got no reply. After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered
from his contract employers, the Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation that
Mr.Olaf Partetzke died from a heart related ailment.

On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a WILL,
and all attempts to trace his next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Olaf
Partetzke did not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of
US$18,500,000.000 is still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being
rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever
come forward to claim it.


According to Laws of China, at the expiration of 5 (five) years, the money
will revert to the ownership of the Chinese Government if nobody applies to
claim the fund.


Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand in
as the next of kin to Mr. Olaf Partetzke so that the fruits of this old
man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt government
officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide immediately your full
names and address so that the attorney will prepare the necessary documents
and affidavits that will put you in place as the next of kin.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and notarization of
the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter of
probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 60%
for me and 35% for you and 5% for Expenses Incurred in the course of the
transaction .


There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will be
done by the attorney and with my position as the Manager with my bank will
guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If you are
interested, please reply immediately to this mail.


Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and relevant
documents that will help you understand the transaction.

You should observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require
your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply.

Thanks and regards.

Mr.Eric Wong


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