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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
  • "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.
  • patrickchannn015@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Patrick Chan <pckw108@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <patrickchannn015@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:58:07 +0000
Subject: Email Me Back Asap!!!



Mr. Patrick ChanEmail: patrickchannn015@yahoo.com.hkGood Day, I am Mr. Patrick Chan. Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have a concealed business suggestion for you. Our client Gen. Samir Abi Rahman who was with the Iraqi forces and also businessman made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months before the U.S and Iraqi war, with a value of Twenty Four million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the war which began in 2003. Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later found out that the General along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.After further investigation it was also discovered that Gen. Samir Abi Rahman did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank. So, Twenty Four million 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 Gen. Samir Abi Rahman so that you will be able to receive his funds.MODALITIES: I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. I have an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Gen. Samir Abi Rahman. After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval from my country’s 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 this 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 then share in the ratio of 60% for me, 40% for you. Should you be interested please send me your, 1, Full names, 2, private phone number, 3, current residential address, 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. Patrick Chan. Email: patrickchannn015@yahoo.com.hk
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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam