419 scam: "Mr.Edbond Chung"<abc> Dear Friend,

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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- edbond.chung11@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Edbond Chung" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edbond.chung@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 22:32:40 +0200
Subject: Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,

My name is Mr.Edbond Chung, am a Singaporean citizen and a seasoned Banker in Malaysia (Berhad office), I occupy the position of an accountant Manager in this branch office, it is with good spirit of heart I opened up this great opportunity to you.A deceased client of mine,that bears the same last name as yours,died as the result of a heart-related condition on March 12th 2005. His heart condition was due to the death of all the members of his family in the tsunami disaster on the 26th December2004 in Sumatra Indonesia .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake for more information.

Currently his account of (US$19,500,000.00) Nineteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only with us has been unclaimed due to unavailability of next of kin/relatives to claim his estate.

Since none of the family relative is alive to claim these funds, haven waited until now for any relative next of kin to surface in our custody; I decided to contact you fast so that I can present you as the relative next of kin to my late client before the funds are confiscated. You dont need to worry yourself in this transaction; we will work togetherto provide the legal documents needed for the successful claim of the funds in your name and favor.

Hence I am seeking your cooperation and understanding to stand as the deceased next of kin to enable us claim the inheritance before the period given elapse. If you are interested and in agreement to work with me, get back to me quickly through my e-mail (edbond.chung11@yahoo.com) and I will send to you all contacts information you may need to proceed. The proceedings will be shared 50% for you 50% for me.

Best Regards,

Yours Faithfully,

Mr.Edbond Chung

The Chief Accountant

HSBC Bank Malaysia

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam