419 scam: HSBC Bank PLC <Linda.Norman@live.com> URGENT

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: HSBC Bank PLC <Linda.Norman@live.com>
Reply-To: lin_hsbc_norman1109181@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:01:04 -0600
Subject: URGENT

--
HSBC BANK PLC
172 Upper Richmond Rd,
Putney,London SW15 2SH,
United Kingdom.
Tel.No.:447023034677

From the Desk of: Ms Linda Norman
Director Private Banking/Investment

Attn: Our Valued Customer,

Ref: PAYMENT OF YOUR OUTSTANDING FUND WITH HSBC BANK

Refer to the above subject matter,we wish to inform you that one Mr
Michael Bloomberg of 401 Olive Street, St. Louis,Missouri 63102, USA
came to our office last week and submitted a request authorizing him to
receive your fund with this bank,on your behalf.

He informed us that you are aware of this and in fact you sent him on
your behalf to receive the fund. As a matter of urgency, you are
required to verify the following information and inform us if you are
aware or know anything about this. We have asked them to come back later
this week because they did not provide any power of attorney from you
which will prove that you sent them on your behalf. This was to enable
us contact you directly and verify how genuine their claims are.

Our questions therefore are these and it is very urgent and important
you answer them clearly:

1) Did you instruct one Mr Michael Bloomberg of 401 Olive Street, Saint
Louis, Missouri, 63102, USA, Whose the below account information, to
claim and receive the payment on your behalf?

Bank Name: WELLS FARGO
Swift Code: WFBIUS 6S
Routing Number: 026012881
Account Number: 1010179900574
Account Name: Mr Michael A. Bloomberg

2. Did you sign any 'Deed of Assignment' in favor of Mr Michael
Bloomberg thereby making him the beneficiary of the fund with the above
account details.

Finally, you are hereby advised to indicate to this Bank urgently, if
you are the person that instructed Mr Michael Bloomberg to come for your
fund with HSBC Bank London.

NOTE: Please we require your full names, current address and telephone
number(s) for re-confirmation of details.

We wait for your urgent response.

Kind Regards

Ms Ann Almeida
Group Head of Private Banking/Investment
HSBC Bank London

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam