419 scam: Yick-Vic Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (HK) Ltd <info@yickvic.com> Company Representative Needed

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Yick-Vic Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (HK) Ltd <info@yickvic.com>
Reply-To: hongfisherie.coltd@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:55:33 +0400
Subject: Company Representative Needed

Yick-Vic Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (HK) Ltd
Room 1006, 10/F Hewlett Centre
Hoi Yuen Road Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Website: www.yickvic.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I represent the above named Company based in China / Hong Kong. My company is
principally engaged in the production, sale and distribution of Pharmaceutical
Raw Materials and Herbs and Extracts (.xls) for world trade.We are searching for

representatives who can help us establish a medium of getting to our
customers in United Arab Emirates as well as making payments through you as our payment officer.

I as the West African branch officer of this multinational company have been
directed to relate with you because of the communication problem faced
by most of our Board Member since many of them cannot read, speak or write
English Language except Chinnese which is our official Language, Fluently.
In view of this you are expected to relate directly with me as the company
representative since I have been mandated to contact you and give them
frequent update about our activities.

Most of our customers pay out in cash, cheques, wire transfer, money orders
or and,It is upon this note that we seek your assistance to stand in as our
representative in United Arab Emirates.

Also, as our representative,you will receive 10% of whatever amount you
recieve on our/ company behalf and get the balance accross to us via
western Union Money Transfer.

If you are interested in this business transaction please fill this
form below and get back to us as soon as possible

YOUR FULL INFORMATION.

Full Name______________________________

Age_____

Occupation_____________________________

Residential Address:___________________________________________________

State___________________

Country Of Origin_____________________

Cell Phone____________________________

Please also let us know the best time to reach you on phone especially as
we have a difference in time.

Thanks.

Very Respectfully,

Xiangwan Hong.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam