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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Stephen Wei Cheng" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <schengpartners@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:16:36 +0200
Subject: Re: Strategic Alliance - REMINDER

Hello,

I sent you a letter proposing a strategic alliance between us in view of our client’s Private Equity portfolio in Malaysia. To date, I have not received a reply from you regarding this important matter. In case the first letter was mislaid or you’ve simply been too busy to respond, I thought I would contact you again.

Of course, you may simply have reservations about teaming with us when you have little knowledge of how the system works here. Please be assured that we want nothing more than what could be a very profitable, enjoyable alliance for both of us.

I trust you can see the obvious benefits of this sort of arrangement. Please take the time to call me and set up a meeting. I am available as needed to discuss this further with you at any time and I’ll explain our ideas and show you how everyone will be thrilled with an alliance between us.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Stephen Wei Cheng
Managing Partner.
Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP | Barristers & Solicitors |
Suite 1104, 11/F.,Tower A, New Mandarin Plaza, 14 Science Museum Road,TST East, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
***Internet Email Confidentiality Footer***
Please consider the environment before printing this message.
Warning:
You should carry out your own virus check before opening any attachment. Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP accepts no liability for any loss or damage, which may be caused by software viruses or interception or interruption of this email.
The preceding email message may be confidential or protected by the attorney-client privilege. It is not intended for transmission to, or receipt by, any unauthorized persons. If you have received this message in error, please (i) do not read it, (ii) reply to the sender that you received the message in error, and (iii) erase or destroy the message. Legal advice contained in the preceding message is solely for the benefit of Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP's client(s) represented by the Firm in the particular matter that is the subject of this message, and may not be relied upon by any other party.
A list of our members' names is available for inspection at our Registered Office. We use the word partner to refer to a member of the Stephen Cheng & Partners, LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualification.

Anti-fraud resources: