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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

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

Fraud email example:

From: "chou mui" <choumui187@msn.com>
Reply-To: mr-choumui@uymail.com
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 05:16:55 +0000
Subject: *** OFFER FROM***

*** OFFER FROM***

FROM:MR.CHOU MUI,

Hang Seng Bank Ltd.

chomui9@uymail.com

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Chou Mui, Assistant
Director of Operations of Hang Seng Bank Ltd, Sai Wan Ho Branch,
171 Shaukiwan Road Hong Kong.

Before the U.S and Iraqi war, our client Hamadi Hashem, a business man,
made a numbered fixed deposit of (346,736,899.68 HKD) for 18 calendar
months, in my branch alone. This is valued to Forty Four million Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. Upon maturity several notice
where sent to him, even during the war three years ago (2003). After
the war another notification was sent and still no response came
from him. We later found out that Hamadi Hashem and his family had
been killed during the war, in a bomb blast that hit his home at
Mukaradeeb where his personal oil well was.

http://www.iraqmemorialwall.org/iraqicasualties.html

http://www.iraqbodycount.net/names.htm

After further investigation it was also discovered that Hamadi Hashem
did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the
paper work of his bank deposit. 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, Forty Four million Five Hundred Thousand United States
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 of four years and six months the funds
will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government, if nobody
applies to claim it.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion is that you, as a foreigner,
should stand as the next of kin to Hamadi Hashem so that we will
be able to receive his funds. I, for one, really need it to settle
some pressing financial obligations.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have everything planned out for the
successfull execution of this project. I have contacted an
attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will
back you up as the next of kin to Hamadi Hashem . All that is
required from you at this stage is to provide me with your
Full Names and Address, to enable the attorney 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 favour for the move of
the funds to an account that will be provided by you.

There will be no risk involved at all if you agree to pull out
this money with me. we are going to adopt a legalized method
and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. Please
endeavour 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
and 30% for you. Should you be interested, please send me your
full names and current residential address. On your show of
interest I shall provide you with more details on this operation.
I will prefer you to reach me on the email address below

chomui9@uymail.com

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.
Kind Regards.

Mr. Chou Mui.

chomui9@uymail.com

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