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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: "Mr. Stephen Wei Cheng" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <schengpartners@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2012 21:52:16 +0100
Subject: Ref: IMPORTANT Information about your unknown relative

Dear Respondent,

I am currently attempting to acquaint myself with your family history in order to find a suitable heir whose right to inheritance the estate of our client (now deceased) is indefeasible by law provided you are a descendant from the same ancestor. Hence, we are curently handling a high valued financial portfolio in Malaysia of our late client who clearly shares your last name and it was recommended that I contact you.

In looking for a suitable heir apparent to our late client, I am specifically interested in the following information:

1. Your full names (no initials pls.)
2. Your Contact address.
3. Your Telephone and Fax number.
4. Your Date of Birth
5. Your Current Occupation.

Could you please send me the information I have requested, along with any other information about you or your family history that might be relevant? I need to make an important decision fairly soon about the administration of his estate on intestacy, so please send me the information at your first opportunity today.

Contact us for more detailed information about this case.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,
Mr. Stephen Wei Cheng,
Managing Partner.
Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP | Barristers & Solicitors |
Suite 1104, 11/F.,Tower A, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road,TST East, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

***Internet Email Confidentiality Footer***
Please consider the environment before printing this message.
Warning:
You should carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment. Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP accepts no liability for any loss or damage, which may be caused by software viruses or interception or interruption of this email.

The preceding email message may be confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized persons. If you have received this message in error, please (i) do not read it, (ii) reply to the sender that you received the message in error, and (iii) erase or destroy the message. Legal advice contained in the preceding message is solely for the benefit of Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP's client(s) represented by the Firm in the particular matter that is the subject of this message, and may not be relied upon by any other party.

A list of our members' names is available for inspection at our Registered Office. We use the word partner to refer to a member of the Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualification.

Anti-fraud resources: