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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: "Frank Chang" <frank_chang_21@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 07:19:55 +0000
Subject: A REQUEST: An Uregent Reply!

FROM THE DESK OF:
MR.FRANK CHANG
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD.BRANCH
CENTRAL HONG KONG
HONG KONG.
 
Dear Sir/Madam,
 
I am Mr.FRANK CHANG, credit officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you.On June 6, 2004,a British Oil consultant/contractor with the  Chinese Solid Minerals Corporation,Mr.Robert Purdy  made a numbered  time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at  US$4.5million (four million five hundred 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 Hong Kong Solid Minerals Corporation that  Mr. Robert Purdy died from an automobile 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.Robert  Purdy did not declare any kin or relations
in all his official  documents,including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.This sum  of US$4.5 million dollars 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 5(five) 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.  Robert Purdy 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.A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will then  facilitate the transfer of this money 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   Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and  relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction. Please send me your confidential email and  fax numbers for easy  communication as my spoken english is not very good.
You should observe altmost 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the security and sucess of this transaction,reply me back via my private and personal email address (frankchang15@coo-eration.net)
Awaiting your urgent reply.
 
Thanks and regards.
MR. FRANK CHANG.

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