419 scam: "DAVID WEI" <noreply@boc.cn> I NEED YOUR WISDOM ON THIS.

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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:

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:
- "million us 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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- davidwei10001@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "DAVID WEI" <noreply@boc.cn>
Reply-To: weidavid24@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 9 Apr 2011 07:42:30 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: I NEED YOUR WISDOM ON THIS.

Dear Prospective Partner,

I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-bian. My name is Mr. David
Wei and I am a top management executive here at the Bank of China, United
Kingdom. Our bank website is www.bocukltd.co.uk.

My friend Mr. Chen Shui-bian has presented a subtle offer which will need
the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen
Shui-bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate
certain sums of money out of the Bank of China in Beijing, China. More so,
this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen. The
sum is currently deposited in the name of an existing legal entity. Your
role will be to:

[1]. Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.

[2]. Receive the funds into a business/private bank account.

[3]. Invest/Manage the funds outside of China.

[4]. Value of funds: $47 Million US Dollars.

Everything will be done legally to ensure the rights to the funds are
transferred to you.

If you agree to partner with Mr. Chen, he will compensate you with 20% of
the total sum. Should you prefer I re-contact you with more express facts,
you can send me your:

[1] Official Full Names:
[2] Company or Personal profile:
[3] Daytime Telephone No:

For Mr. Chen Shui-bian's current profile visit this site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8250099.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8233342.stm

You can email me at davidwei10001@yahoo.com.hk or call me for further
details, terms and agreement.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Wei

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam