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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: Mr.PatrickChan@chan.hk
Reply-To: pkw_chan3@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:57:58 GMT
Subject: From Mr. Patrick Chan (Business Proposal).

I am Mr. Patrick K. W. Chan Executive Director & Chief
financial Officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured
business suggestion for you. I will need you to assist me in
executing a business project from Hong Kong to your country.
It involves the transfer of money. Everything concerning this
transaction shall be legally done without hitch. Please endeavour
to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue.

Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your
account,we shall share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us.
I will prefer you reach me on my private email address below.
I shall furnish you with more informations about this operation
immediately i receive a positive response from you.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Patrick Chan
E-mail: pkw_chan3@yahoo.com.hk

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