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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: patrickwchan008@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:20:19 -0500
Subject: I AWAIT YOUR REPLY



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. Abbas Radhi Ismail 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
States 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.
After further investigation it was also discovered that Gen. Abbas Radhi Ismail 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 States
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.
Abbas Radhi Ismail 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. Abbas Radhi Ismail, 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 a nominated bank account we shall then share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for
you. Should you be interested please send me the following:
1. Full names
2. Private phone/fax
3. Current residential address
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.
Email: patrickwchan008@yahoo.com.hk




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