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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" <cheungpui100@cheungpuiworl.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:24:20 +0000
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL!!!

MR. CHEUNG PUI
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD. BRANCH,
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONG KONG.
Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr.Cheung Pui
director of operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an
urgent business suggestion for you.
I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much
embarrassment by contacting you through this means for a
transaction of this magnitude,but this is due to
confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this medium.
Furthermore,due to this issue on my hands now,it became
necesary for me to seek your assistance, and it is imperative
for me to know your opinion
Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major Fadi Bassem
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,evenduring
the
war early this year.Again after the war another notification was
sentand
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 laws of my country at the
expiration 5 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the
HongKong
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 file
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 to adopt
a
legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the
necessarydocuments.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning
thisissue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated
bankaccount
we
shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 25% for you and 5% for any
expenses
incure during the transaction. Should you be interested please send me
your
full names and current residential address,you could contact me through
my
private
mail box (cheungpui_pui100@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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