419 scam: "Mr. Bai Qingyun"<hendrick@hendrickscountyattorneys.com> Hello,

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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:
- "please endeavor to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Bai Qingyun" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <baiqingyun070@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2016 13:21:21 -0500
Subject: Hello,

Hello,

My name is Mr. Bai Qingyun, the Credit Remittance officer in the Bank of China, without wasting time, i bring forth before you a business transaction worth of $23,500,000, for you from my bank. There were no beneficiaries who would ever come forward to claim this fund after all notice made to reach any family member ever since the deceased passed on. I have the full believe that you can be my partner to making this transaction a perfect one.

Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred to your nominated bank account we shall then share in the ratio of 55% for me, 40% for you while 5% will be set aside for expenses.

In acceptance to assist me carryout this virtue you will have to maintain utmost confidentiality and get back to me through my private emails with the below request;

1. Full name:
2. Telephone number and Address:
3. A copy of your identification (driver's license or passport or ID)
4. Occupation:
5. Marital status:

On your response further details of this operation shall be provided to you.

Regards,
Mr. Bai Qingyun.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam