419 scam: "SINO HOK" <legalservices@sinohokcambars.com> Hello bixnfleisch

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- barristersinahok@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "SINO HOK" <legalservices@sinohokcambars.com>
Reply-To: barristersinahok@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2013 07:37:21 +0300
Subject: Hello bixnfleisch

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is my second letter to you, once more my name is Attorney Sina Hok, I had a client a National of your country

who died few years ago, May his gentle soul rest in peace, His bank has directed me as his personal attorney to find

his next of kin so that they will pay the sum of US$4.3 million inheritance fund to him, the bank is anticipating

someone with the same surname (last name) specifically referred from my office. All efforts to get his family

relatives have not been successful. I came across your contact information and decided to ask for your cooperation to

present you to the bank as his next of kin so that the money will be paid to you for our sharing on which will be

negotiated upon your agreement, If you are interested, please reply me and note that you are the only one I have

contacted for this transaction to enable me make alternative arrangement if the need should arise. Thanks for your

understanding.
contact me through my private email... barristersinahok@gmail.com

Regards.
Attorney SINA HOK
Senior Attorney
Sina HOK Chambers
Cambodia.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam