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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: "chow lee" <chowlee23@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 07:32:51 -0700
Subject: SWIFT REPLY AWAITED !!!!!!!!!!!!!


MR. CHOW LEE
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
83, Des Voeux Road.,
Central HK,
Hong Kong.


GOODDAY
Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Chow Lee, credit officer of
the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured business suggestion for you.
Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Gen. Aadel Akgaal Bastaan who was
with the Iraqi forces and also businessman made a numbered fixed deposit for
18 calendar months, with a value of Fifteen million United State Dollars
only in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even
during the war which began in 2003. Again after the war another notification
was sent and still no response came from him. We later find out that the
General along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the war
in a bomb blast that hit their home.
You can read more about the bombings on visiting these sites below:
http://civilians.info/iraq/deaths_data.php
http://www.ccmep.org/usbombingwatch/2003.htm#3/19/03
After further investigation it was also discovered that Gen. Aadel Akgaal
Bastaan 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,
Fifteen million 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 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 Gen. Aadel Akgaal Bastaan 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 an attorney that will prepare the necessary
document that will back you up as the next of kin to Gen. Aadel Akgaal
Bastaan, 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 favour for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.
There is no risk involved at all in this 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. Should you be interested please send me your full names, private
phone/fax and current residential address.
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. Chow Lee
Email: chowlee23@yahoo.com.hk

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