419 scam: "Mr.Chi Pui" <wslamac@stu.ust.hk> Dear Friend

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- email.chipui004@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Chi Pui" <wslamac@stu.ust.hk>
Reply-To: chipui004@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2013 08:25:36 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: Dear Friend

Dear Friend,

I am the official credit account in the bank but here in Hong pac Kong.We
found abandoned sum $17.3 million in an account belonging to one of our
foreign customer who died along with his family, his death none and from
their families or relationships are presented to claim this money as his
heir.

After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to keep his name on
the Internet, to locate anyonelast name, of late so I contacted you. I
want to present themselves as the family so we can claim the money. Pardon
my english am no too good in english. I'll be waiting your response via my
email.chipui004@hotmail.com

Sincerely,
Mr.Chi Pui

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam