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

Fraud email example:

From: "HSBC BANK ACCRA GHANA" <hsbcbank-gh@outgun.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: hsbcbank-gh@accountant.com
Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2099 16:10:21 +0100
Subject: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US$4.5 MILLION INTEREST

HSBC Equator
Member HSBC Group, Accra-Ghana

International Transfer
Processing Department
Trust Towers Asylum Down
2nd Floor PMB CCCI
Cantonments, Accra Ghana
E-mail: hsbcbank-gh@accountant.com

29th June, 2006

ATTN: SIR,

RE: SWIFT TRANSFER OF US$4.5 MILLION INTEREST INTO YOUR ACCOUNT

I am the Head of Treasury Department of HSBC BANK-ACCRA-GHANA.

Sometime ago, your contract money was brought to our bank from Economic Community of West African Foreign Contractor Payment Panel made of the following countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Togo,Benin, Senegal, Ivory-coast, Gambia, Mali, etc.(Ecowas).

After some period, they called the fund back to their treasury. For the period of time this money has been in our bank, it has generated an interest of US$4.5 Million, which we consider must be paid to you since you are one of the contractors that have not received his/her payment.

As a matter of fact we the management of this bank has resolved and decided to pay the interest of the fund via Swift Transfer into your account.

What we need from you now is any form of identification your international passport number or your driving license number, then your telephone and fax number for easy communication.

In view of this you are hereby instructed to contact this office immediately you receive this message and reconfirm your banking particulars.

The HSBC Bank therefore apologize for any form of delay and inconvenience.

We are poised to serve you better and waiting to hear from you.

Best Regards,

Mr. Robert Nartey
HEAD OF TREASURY DEPARTMENT
HSBC BANK ACCRA GHANA








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