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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "million united state dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "is 100% risk free" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • chowlee19@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: chowlee@mchsi.com (chowlee1@yahoo.com)
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:56:46 +0000
Subject: PROPOSAL

Dear Sir/Madam,

Urgent Business Proposal From: Mr. Chow Lee

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Chow Lee, a credit officer of the
Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an urgent business proposal 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 thirty five 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, thirty five 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 of three years, the funds will be
chanelled 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 we will be able to receive his funds, if you are willing to
proceed with me, we shall split the funds equally.

THIS IS HOW WE CAN PROCEED:

I want you to know that I have worked everything out perfectly, to enable a
successful transfer of this funds to an offshore account, and the enjoyment of
the proceeds afterwards with absolute peace of mind. I have an attorney that
will prepare all the necessary documents to ensure that everything is done
within the laws here and to effect the change of beneficiary within the bank
enabling you as 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
transfer of the funds to an offshore account that will be provided by you.

Needless to mention, this operation is 100% risk free as everything will be
done according to the laws that exist here, moreover we are going to adopt a
legalized method as my attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
Please endeavor to maintain confidentiality in all matters concerning this
issue. the importance of confidentiality cannot be overemphasized as I expect
you to know better. Should you be interested please send me the following;

1. Your full names
2. Private telephone/fax
3. Current residential address.

As soon as I receive the above information, I will give you a call and 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:chowlee19@yahoo.com

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam