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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "to your nominated bank account" (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)
  • "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal - arrests of online criminals are rare)
• 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.
  • info.patrick_chan@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "patrick chan" <patrickchan.hk95@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: info.patrick_chan@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2007 18:54:22 -0700
Subject: CONTACT ME

FROM: PATRICK CHAN
Email: info.patrick_chan@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Friend,

I am Mr. Patrick Chan Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the
Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have a Secured business suggestion for you.

Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Col. Hosam Hassan who was with the
Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18
calendar months, with a value of Thirty million United State Dollars
($30,000,000.00) only in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent
to him, even during the war early this year. Again after the war another
notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later find out
that Col. Hosam Hassan along with his wife and only daughter had been killed
during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.What bothers me most is
that according to the laws of my country at the expiration 4 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 Col. Hosam Hassan so that you will
be able to receive his funds.I have contacted an attorney that will prepare
the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Col.Hosam
Hassan.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 this
issue.Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we
shall share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you, Should you be
interested please send me information,s below,

1. Full names and Age
2. Private phone number
3. Current residential address.

I will prefer you reach me on my private Email address or Fax it to my
private fax machine number below ;

Email: info.patrick_chan@yahoo.com.hk
Fax: +852-301-76685

And finally after that I shall provide you with more details on this
transaction. Your earliest response to this letter will be highly
appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Patrick K.W Chan.

_________________________________________________________________
The average US Credit Score is 675. The cost to see yours: $0 by Experian.
http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=660600&bcd=EMAILFOOTERAVERAGE

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam