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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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Fraud email example:

From: "cheung pui" <cheunpui@hangsengbankzone.net>
Reply-To: cheungp600@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 07:10:28 +0000
Subject: Personal

MR. CHEUNG PUI
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD. BRANCH,
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONG KONG.


Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr.Cheung Pui director of
operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an urgent business suggestion
for you.

I honestly apologize and hope I do not cause you much embarrassment by
contacting you through this means for a transaction of this magnitude,but
this is due to confidentiality and prompt access reposed on this
medium.Furthermore,due to this issue on my hands now,it became necesary for
me to seek your assistance, and it is imperativefor me to know your opinion.

Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major Fadi Bassem who was with the
Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18
calendar months,with a value of Twenty Four millions Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity several notice was
sent to him.Again after the war another notification was sent and still no
response came from him. We later find out that the Major and his family had
been killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their home.

After further investigation it was also discovered that Major Fadi Basem
did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper
work of his bank deposit.So, Twenty Four millions Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come
forward to claim it.

What bothers me most is that according to the laws of my country at the
expiration 5 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong
Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.

Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to MajorFadi Basem so that you will
be able to receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the
necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi
Basem,all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me
with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.
After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.

There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a
legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning
thisissue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank
account we shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 25% for you and 5% for
any expenses incure during the transaction. Should you be interested please
send me your full names and current residential address and I will prefer
you to reach me via my box,
(cheungp600@yahoo.com.hk) and finally after that i shall provide you with
more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr Cheung Pui.


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