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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: Qin Wang <qwang113@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 03:20:56 -0500
Subject: AWAIT RESPONSE

FROM THE DESK OF:

Mr. Wang Qin
Shanghai Commercial Bank Ltd.
Kwoloon City Junction Branch
Hong Kong,


ATTENTION:

I am Mr.Wang Qin, credit officer of Shanghai Commercial Bank Ltd.. I have an
Urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.

On June 12 2001, a American Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese
liquified and Steel Ministries, Mr. Stephen Goldberg made a numbered time
(Fixed) Deposit
For twelve calendar months, valued at US$12,000,000.00 (Twelve
Million 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 liquified and Steel Ministries that Mr. Stephen Goldberg died from
an Marine Accident. 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. Stephen
Goldberg did not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents, including
His Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$12,000,000.00 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 Hong Kong, at the expiration of six (6) years, the money will
revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong 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. Stephen Goldberg 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. This money will
then be released to you as the beneficiary/next of kin.

The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio
of 70% for me and 25% 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 credit officer guarantees
the successful Execution of this transaction. If you are interested,
please reply Immediately to my email box. : qwang114@yahoo.com.hk

Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and 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. Qin Wang

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