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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: "ming" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mingyang26@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:40:23 +0100
Subject: From Mr. Ming Yang, mutual trust

>From Mr. Ming Yang
Hong Kong.

Good Day,

I am the Director of Operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd, Sai Wan HoBranch, Hong Kong.I have an obscured business suggestion for you.I am here-by seeking your service in helping me recieve a large amount of money and in giving a clear research and feasibility studies on areas I could invest on. Your services will be paid for, and you will be a partner, if your recommendation is accepted.

As a bank employee, I can not operate any personal investment till I am retired and with the Anti-corruption Bill passed in Hong Kong; it is risky for a fixed income earner to own any huge amount of money in Hong Kong or any foreign country. It is then advisable to invest in any foreign land secretly and patiently wait retirement.

For security purpose, due to telecom interception in Hong Kong, I shall not accept or acknowledge any phone call. Only fax messages/emails would be treated in relation to this proposal

Should you be further interested, I would prefer you to reach me soon and finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Contact me through this email for further confidential corespondence: mingyang26@yahoo.com.hk

Warm Regards
Mr.Ming Yang

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