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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 about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "HANG SENG BANK" <chio101@sympatico.ca>
Reply-To: cheungpui_info@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 16:05:36 +0000
Subject: URGENT RESPONCE NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FROM: MR. CHEUNG PUI
Hang Seng Bank Ltd
Sai Wan Ho Branch
171 Shaukiwan Road
Hong Kong.
Tel/Fax:852-301-61720
(cheungpui_info@yahoo.com.hk)

Dear Friend,


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 an obscured business suggestion for you. Before the U.S and Iraqi war
our, client Fadi Hashem who was a business man based in Iraq made numbered
fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four millions
Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars (US$24,500,000.00) 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 Fadi Hashem and his family
had been killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their 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. 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 (US$24,500,000.00) 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 five 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 Fadi Hashem 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 successfully. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the
necessary documents that will back you up as the next of kin to Hamadi
Hashem, 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 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, 30% for you. Should you be
interested please send me your full names and current residential address
and I will prefers you to reach me on the email address below
(cheungpui_info@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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