419 scam: "Mr.Ming Yang" <mingoffice@east.com> Assist Urgently.

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- ming.y011@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Ming Yang" <mingoffice@east.com>
Reply-To: ming.y097@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:24:03 -0300 (ART)
Subject: Assist Urgently.

Dear friend,

I am Mr. Ming Yang, an official with the Hang Seng Bank,Hong Kong. I have
a very sensitive and confidential brief for you from the Hang Seng Bank of
Hong Kong. I ask for your partnership in re-profiling funds. I will give
you the details but in summary, the funds are coming via Hang Seng
Bank,Hong Kong.

This is a legitimate transaction, You will be paid 30% of your management
fee. " If you are interested, please write back via this
email:ming.y011@yahoo.com.hk and I will give details and instructions. Due
to telecom interception only mails will be treated for now.

I'm looking forward to it

Mr.Ming Yang

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam