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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: "Don Chang" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <don.chang@ibibo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 09:15:17 -0500
Subject: Please Read Carefully...

Good day to you,
 
 
I am a Bank Officer here in Central, Hong Kong. I am writing in regards to an opportunity in my office that will be an immense benefit to both of us. I have been in search of someone in your country for this business transaction that I am about to explain to you, so when I saw your contact details via data index, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you now.
 
 
In my department I discovered an abandoned sum of US$26,700,000.00 (Twenty Six Million, Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars) in an account that belongs to one of our foreign customers Late Mr. Amir Khouri, an Iraqi Foreign Oil consultant/contractor with OIL AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY, who unfortunately lost his life in the May 26, 2006 Earthquake disaster in Jawa, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end. Personally I have been un-successful in locating the relatives for the past 4 years and the information I got from the Iraqi Government is that none of his family member survived the 2 Gulf wars. Therefore I seek your consent to present you as the next of kin / Beneficiary so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$26,700,000.00 can be paid to you instead of letting the bank confiscate the money since nobody has shown up for the claim or applied in writing for 5years since the Earthquake happened.  
 
My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because I noticed the account has been dormant for long time. Amir Khouri did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was established, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that Amir Khouri should give instructions on what to do about his account, if to renew the contract. I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to find out that Amir Khouri is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their own personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your contact details online I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, As one of the senior staff I will use my position to influence the bank head quarters to release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will
 
It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal parts, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response.
 
 
Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your urgent response.
 
 
Best regards,
Mr. Don Chang.
Private Email: don.chang1@w.cn

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