419 Scams.

NOTR recently wrote about 419 scams at ROFASix. They've been around for years in one form or another. To me, the things are utterly transparent, but apparently a lot of people fall for them nonetheless. A few months ago Readers' Digest did an article on them and some some guy showcased his utter lack of self-esteem and intelligence by admitting he'd fallen for the scam and let them use his name and photo.

Anyway, here's the most recent proposal emailed to me. It's the second one to use the war in Iraq as the backdrop for the situation in which they need my assistance. Who says scammer don't keep up with the times?

Read this, and if you can't immediately see through it please email me and we can discuss some business proposals.

FROM: MR CHEUNG PUI
(che_pui003@yahoo.com.hk)

Dear Friend,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr. Cheung Pui director of
operations of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd,Hong kong. I have an obscured business
suggestion for you.Before the U.S and Iraqi war, our client Major Fadi Basem
who was with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered,fixed
deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty Four million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars only in my branch.

Upon maturity several notice was sent to him,even during the war early last
year.Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response
came from him. We later find out that the Major and his family had been
killed during the war in bomb blast that hit their home.After further
investigation it was also discovered that Major Fadi Basem did not declare
any next of kin in his official papers including the paper workof his bank
deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that
no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.So,Twenty Four million Five
Hundred Thousand United State Dollars is still lyingin my bank and no one
will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according
to the laws of my country, at the expiration 4 years the funds will revert
to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the
funds.

Against this backdrop,my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Major Fadi Basem so that you will
be able to receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall
come out successful. I have contacted anattorney that will prepare the
necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi
Basem , all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me
with your Full Names and Address so that the attorney can commence his job.

After you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also fill in for
claims on your behalf and secure the necessary approval and letter of
probate in your favor for the move of the funds to an account that will be
provided by you.

There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going adopt a
legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents.
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 share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% for you . Should you be
interested please send me your full names and current residential address
and I will prefer you to reach me on the email address below;

Email:(che_pui003@yahoo.com.hk)

Finally, after that i shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Mr. Cheung Pui