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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • qwang4maudi@netscape.net (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: wang <wang_q@hangseng.com>
Reply-To: qwang4maudi@netscape.net
Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:16:17 +0100
Subject: Credit Officer.


I am Mr. Q. Wang, credit officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd; I have an urgent and very confidential business proposition 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 necessary for
me to seek your assistance, and it is imperative for me to know your opinion.
On April 6, 2001, a British Oil consultant/contractor with the Chinese Petroleum and Chemical Corporation Mr. Ebert Maudi made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$25,000,000.00 (Twenty-five Million Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no reply. After a month, I sent a reminder and finally I discovered from his contract employers, the Hong Kong Petroleum and Chemical Corporation that Mr. Ebert Maudi 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 were fruitless.
I therefore made further investigation and discovered that Mr. Ebert Maudi did not declare any kin or relations in all his official documents, including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank. This sum of US$25,000,000.00 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 of maturity, 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. Ebert Maudi so that the fruits of this old man's labour 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 favour for the transfer. The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio of 60% for me and 35% 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 really interested in doing this business with me please reply immediately to my non-official email address, qwang4maudi@netscape.net.
Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and how the attorney will prepare the relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.
Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication. You should observe utmost 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.
Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks and regards.
Mr. Qin
NOTE: Please reply to my non-official email address, qwang4maudi@netscape.net.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam