419 scam: "Norman Chan" <mrnorman@chan.com> Positive Concern

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "search for a trustworthy and honest person" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- normanchang500@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Norman Chan" <mrnorman@chan.com>
Reply-To: normanchang500@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 13:33:20 +0100 (WAT)
Subject: Positive Concern

Hello,

I came across your contact via international personal research profile in my
earnest search for a trustworthy and honest person to handle a transaction with
me, and I apologize if the content of this e-mail or method of approach are
contrary to your moral ethics, but I had to reach you through this medium.

I have a proposition and I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this
matter untill the task is accomplished. I am Mr. Norman Chan Tak-lam, S.B.S.,
J.P, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). I have a top secret
dealing suggestion for you which will benefit the both of us, if sincerely
handled.

During my bank's end of year audit of 2009, there was a board decision that all
unclaimed funds concerning Inheritance should be declared bad claims to enable
the bank relocate itself against accumulated debts. In the course of my
responsibility, I discovered $47.1M USD(Forty-Seven Million, One Hundred
Thousand United States Dollars) left unclaimed by a deceased customer since
September, 2005.

Every exploration I made showed that there is no registered beneficiary to these
funds. All I need now, is someone from outside Hong Kong who can associate with
me to claim this money. I have access to every document that will register you
as the beneficiary of the funds. My anticipated percentage for sharing shall be
fair enough 50% for me, 45% for you and 5% to take care of expenditures during
the transaction.

Send your reply to my top secret Email: normanchang500@yahoo.com.hk

I wait to hear from you.

Best Regards,
Mr. Norman Chan.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam