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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: "Patrick Chan" <patrick_chann3@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:41:44 -0300
Subject: YOUR PARTNERSHIP IS NEEDED

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Patrick K.W. Chan (Executive
Director and Chief Financial 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 (Twenty Four million Five Hundred
Thousand 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 this site below:

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, Twenty Four million Five Hundred Thousand 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 of 5 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.

MODALITIES:
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 fill
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 this matter, as we are going 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 then share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for you. Should you be
interested please send me your the following:

1. Full names:
2. Private phone/fax:
3. Current residential address:
4. Nationality:
5. Age :
6. Occupation :

And I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below 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. Patrick Chan.
E-mail: patrick_chanhsb1@yahoo.com.hk

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