The "Next of Kin" Spam Scam

Hey everyone, class is in, and today I have a perfect example of a "Next of Kin" Spam scam.

The easiest way to tell that this is that banks do not contact you by email unless you request it, and if you have never heard of the bank mentioned in the email, then scrap it.

Plus, the biggy is that this kind of thing never happens over email and never happens in real life, and you wouldn't need to give them any information anyway because they would already have it.

Ask yourself lots of questions, and if it ends up being the real deal you will start to get phone calls, and even then, if you do get a "Next of Kin" phone call, then you should instinctually start to ask questions before answering anything.

Example question: why would a bank pick someone at random and try to split something with me?

Hmmmm, sounds fishy.

I went ahead and highlighted the major warning signs in the following "Next of Kin" spam scam email below:

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Good Day,

I am Mr. Patrick K. W. Chan. Executive Director and General Manager of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd. Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Col. Hosam Hassan who was with the Iraqi forces and also businessman made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Thirty million United State Dollars($30,000,000.00) only in my branch.

Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the war which began in 2003. Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later find out that Col. Hosam Hassan along with his wife and only daughter had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.

After further investigation it was also discovered that Col.Hosam Hassan did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of 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, Thirty million ($30,000,000.00) United State Dollars is still lying in 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 5 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 Col.Hosam Hassan so that you will be able to receive his funds.

MODALITIES: I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we shall come out successful. I have an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Col. Hosam Hassan, all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your Full Names, Contact phone and fax numbers 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 of probate in your favour for the move of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.

There is no risk involved at all in this matter, as we are going to 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 then share in the ratio of 70% for me, 30% foryou.Should you be interested you can reach me on my private email address below:

chan_0_1@yahoo.com.cn And finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Patrick K.W. Chan.