HSBC replay of 419 scam
Apr 9, 2004Received an email with an interesting take on the 419 (Nigerian) scam.nSee below:n From: ELIZABETH WOODS <xxxx_xxxx@xxxx.xx>n Subject: HSBC PRIVATE BANKING : AN INVESTIGATIONn To: xxxx_xxxx@xxxx.xxn n HSBC PRIVATE BANKING : AN INVESTIGATIONn n Good day ,n n My name is Elizabeth Woods I am a senior partner in the firm of Capan Consultants:Private Investigators and Security Consultants. We aren conducting a standard process investigation on behalf of HSBC, then international Banking conglomerate. This investigation involves an client who shares the same surname with you and also the circumstancesn surrounding investments made by this client at HSBC Republic,then Private Banking arm of HSBC. The HSBC Private Banking client died inn testate and nominated no successor in title over the investments maden with the bank.n The essence of this communication with you is to request you provide usn information/comments on any or all of the four issues:n 1-Are you aware of any relative/relation who shares your same namen whose last known contact address was in Holland Netherlandsn 2-Are you aware of any investment of considerable value made by such an person at the Private Banking Division of HSBC Bank PLC?n 3-Born on the 1st of october 1930n 4-Can you establish beyond reasonable doubt your eligibility to assumen status of successor in title to the deceased? It is pertinent that youn inform us ASAP whether or not you are familiar with this personalityn that we may put an end to this communication with you and our inquiriesn surrounding this personality. You must appreciate that we aren constrained from providing you with more detailed information at thisn point.n Please respond to this mail as soon as possible to afford us the n opportunity to close this investigation. Thank you for accommodating ourn enquiry.n n Elizabeth Woods (Mrs)n For: Cappa ConsultantsnThis one has been kicking around since at least October 2003 but it is the firstnI’ve seen of it. Judging from a March HSBC news release and newsgroup discussions it is prevalent in the UK and Australia. What is interesting aboutnthis take on the account transfer fraud is the more subtle “phishing"nof this initial contact instead of declaring the amounts and detailsnup front.