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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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: pkw_chan20@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:34:27 GMT
Subject: From Patrick K. W Chan, Response Needed.




Let me start by introducing myself. I am. Patrick K. W. Chan Executive Director & Chief financial Officer of Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured business proposal that will be of great benefit to you and me,it involves the transfer of funds and I need you to assist me in executing this business project. Once the funds have been successfully transferred into your account,we shall share in the ratio to be agreed by both of us. I shall furnish you with more information immediately i receive a positive response from you. If interested please contact me via email: pkw_chan20@yahoo.com.hk

Kind Regards,
Mr. Patrick K. W. Chan

Anti-fraud resources: