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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) 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.

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (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.
  • patrick_ch0003@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Patrick Chan <patrick_ch0003@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 05:43:58 +0200
Subject: WRITE BACK


Dear Friend,
I am Mr.Patrick Chan,Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of
the operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have a secured business
suggestion for you.Our client Col. Hosam Hassan who was with the
Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for
18 calendar months,with a value of Thirty million United State Dollars
($30,000,000.00) 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 Col.Hosam
Hassan and his family had been killed during the war in bomb blast
that hit their home.
After further investigation it was also discovered that Col. Hosam
Hassan 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 million United State Dollars
($30,000,000.00) 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 4 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 Col. Hosam Hassan 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 contacted an attorney that will
prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of
kin to Col. Hosam Hassan , all that is required from you at this stage
is for you to provide me with your Full Names , Address, and your
private phone number 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 60% for me, 40%
for you. Should you be interested please contact me via my private
email,
patrick_ch0003@yahoo.com.hk
With the below informations.
1. Full names
2. Private phone number
3. Current residential address.
After that i shall provide you with more details of this
transaction.Your earliest response to this letter will be highly
appreciated.
Regards,
Mr.Patrick Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam