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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" <cheungpui005@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: c_heungpui101@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 23:18:26 +0000
Subject: From:Mr Cheung Pui.

FROM:MR.CHEUNG PUI
Hang Seng Bank Ltd
Sai Wan Ho Branch
171 Shaukiwan Road
Hong Kong.
e-mail address : pu5cheung@myway.com


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 business
proposal 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 this
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 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
million 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 documents 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 transfer 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,25%for you,and 5% for any expenses
incurred during the course of the operation. 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:pu5cheung@myway.com

Once i get your response to co-operate,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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