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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" <cheung_p090@msn.com>
Reply-To: puicheung_52@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 03:47:42 +0000
Subject: CONTACT ME

MR. CHEUNG PUI
puicheung_52@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,Sai Wan
Ho Branch.I have a 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 millions 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 found 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 work of 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 millions Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still lying
in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim
it. What bothers me most is that according to the to
the laws of my country at the expiration 3 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 an attorney 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 :
puicheung_52@yahoo.com.hk
and 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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