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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: "Huan Chow" <chowhuan@popogo.org>
Reply-To: chowhuan@ubbi.com
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:29:16 +0000
Subject: Hello




Dear Friend,

INVESTMENT/PARTNERSHIP RELATIONSHIP

First, I must insist on your confidence in this transaction I am about to propose to you. I am Mr.Huan Chow, former branch assistant manager of the Bank of China, kaiping branch and i am making this contact with you based on reliable information available to me courtesy of internet business index and confirmed by our local chambers of commerce and industry. Thus I believe that you maybe be capable to provide me with a solution to a money transfer transaction of huge sums of money (amount not stated for security reasons)

SOURCE:
Please note that I would require a measure of guarantee prior to commencement, as I am hoping to build our trust on sincerity of purpose and mutual understanding. Please also do not under estimate the need for total confidentiality throughout the course of this transaction. You may use these links for some information:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/02_05/b3768065.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2115792.stm
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200208/25/eng20020825_102035.shtml

Toward the end of my service with Bank of China where I worked for many years, several of my colleagues and I set up companies with which we successfully secured loans for speculation in Hong Kong and Singapore stocks and real estate. We did this because it had dawned on us that we were paid barely enough to feed our families while top Government officials control billions of dollars. The bank along with regulatory authorities from China and Hong Kong started an investigation into the losses of money and as a result a few of my colleagues and I went into hiding and have settled ourselves and our families. Due to our positions as being involved with the initial investigation, we cannot receive this money by ourselves or in our names at this time.

Furthermore we had decided to remove this money and divide it accordingly pending when the investigation dies down. This has occurred and I cannot leave the money unattended for much longer for fear that it might be discovered. I hereby solicit your assistance to help take delivery of my share of these funds into your custody, and you will be adequately compensated with 20% of the sum. Suffice it to say that the total monies involved between my friends and I totaled over Four hundred and eighty five million United States dollars.

It is my intention therefore having your understanding and co-operation that you invest 75% of these funds in the United States and Europe in commercial real estate as well as low risk stocks and bonds on my behalf for a few years while the balance 5% will cater for all local and foreign expenses incurred in facilitating the transfer of this funds. My projection is to conclude transfer of funds latest 14 working days from date of receipt of the following information by email (Your full name and address, your telephone and fax numbers and a brief profile of yourself to assure me of your capability). Our perfected modalities are remittance of stated funds appearing as you or your company's entitlement to your nominated account. The requested information will enable me commence the transaction and the paperwork from here.

Please contact me immediately you receive this mail via my confidential E-mail address thus signifying your capability and willingness to enable me give you additional details on our proposed course of action for getting these funds to you 100% risk free. Again I look forward to doing business with you and solicit your utmost confidentiality in this transaction. Please respond via my confidential email account, which is chowhuan@ubbi.com

In anticipation of your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Huan Chow
chowhuan@ubbi.com

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