419 scam: Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi <safia@mincom.gov.az> 03/10/2011

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- email.mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi <safia@mincom.gov.az>
Reply-To: mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:17:54 +0500
Subject: 03/10/2011

--

Asalamalakum? Greetings,

I am Safia Farkash, wife of embattled Libyan leader Col.Muammar Gaddafi,
who is presently been embattled by the unfaithful opposition leaders in my
country. Following the heat as a result of the crises in Libya against my
husband, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, I have been able to escape to a Neighboring
country,Algeria with my daughter who recently gave birth to save our lives.
I am desperately looking for a foreign reliable partner whom I can trust to
handle some funds on our behalf. A deposit was made one time ago by my
husband in one of the security Companies in the middle east in my name.

The UN and the Western world have freezed most of our assets and funds
bearing Gaddafi's name anywhere in the world Consequently, our
status/position of the present state does not permit us to open an account
or run any huge financial business at the moment,hence I contacted you to
claim the funds. The necessary Legal documents will be changed to your name
to enable the release of the funds to you by the finacial Company. Your
assistance will enable us invest the funds in your country. But before we
proceed you will promise me that you will not betray or abscond with the
funds when it eventually released to you. Last time the government moved to
officially freeze the assets held by the Libyan regime in the UK following
sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council Find below the links where
some of our assets were freezed.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/144251/libyas-first-lady-owns-airline.html

I will furnish you with more info as soon as I hear your response
indicating your interest to partner with me. At present I don't receive or
make calls for security reason (s) as it is being monitored. All
communication is based on internet. Waiting for your prompt and positive
response.

Thanks.
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi
Email.mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk

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