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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.

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Fraud email example:

From: "cheung pui" <cheungpui@planethangseng.com>
Reply-To: cheung_777hk@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2005 07:54:05 +0000
Subject: I NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE ASSISSTANCE

FROM: MR CHEUNG PUI

(hkpui_che0004@yahoo.com.hk)

Dear Friend,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Cheung Pui director of
operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Hong kong. I have an obscured business
suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war, our client Major Fadi Basem
who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered,fixed
deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity
several notice was sent to him,even during the war early last year.Again
after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from
him. We later find out that the Major and his family had been killed during
the war in bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was
also discovered that Major Fadi Basem did not declare any next of kin in his
official papers including the paper workof his bank deposit. And he also
confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew
of his deposit in my bank.So,Twenty Four million Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars is still lyingin my bank and no one will ever come
forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according to the laws of
my country, at the expiration 4 years the funds will revert to the ownership
of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against
this backdrop,my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to
stand as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem so that you will be able to
receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I have contacted anattorney that will prepare the
necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi
Basem , all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me
with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.
After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are
going adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the
necessary documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all
matters concerning this issue.Once the funds have been transferred to your
nominated bank account we shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for
you . Should you be interested please send me your full names and current
residential address and I will prefer you to reach me on the email address
below;

Email: (hkpui_che0004@yahoo.com.hk)

Finally, after that i shall provide you with more details of this operation.
Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Cheung Pui


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