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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.

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Fraud email example:

From: lag_yuriy1@rediffmail.com
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 05:14:13 +0000
Subject: Lagutin Yuriy -[Wed, 20 Jul 2005 05:14:13 +0000]

Dear Friend,

My warmest greetings to you. Firstly let me introduce myself. I am Lagutin Yuriy, personal secretary to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia's richest man. Mr. Khodorkovsky is Chairman & C.E.O Yukos Oil (One of Russian's Largest Oil Company) and Menatep SBP Bank (A well reputable Financial Institution). He was arrested in October 2003 when masked and armed members of the security police force stormed his private jet at an airport in Siberia. Mr. Khodorkovsky was arrested for his involvement in politics by financing the leading and opposing political parties (The Union of Right Forces, led by Boris Nemstov and Yabloko, a liberal/social democratic party led by Gregor Yavlinsky) which poses treat to President Vladimir Putin.

In 2003, Sibneft (Another of Russian's Largest Oil Company) and Yukos agreed to merge. Mr. Roman Abramovich who controls Sibneft received US$3bn and a 26 per cent stake in the merged company in return for his 92 per cent in Sibneft. Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky my boss received the sum of US$48million. The stated sum was kept in a Financial Institution by me under instructions from my boss. I was to make payment to an American oil merchant on behalf of Mr. Khodorkovsky for his last oil deal before his arrest.

There has been a bulk freezing of Russian Bank Accounts linked to the Yukos Company that is why foreign aid is required. Presently, the Russian court has frozen the assets of Yukos due to an unpaid tax claim during 2000 and the company may be forced into bankruptcy. This is all an attempt by the Russian government to bring about the total destruction of Yukos and erode the personal wealth of Mr. Khodorkovsky. Fear of arrest has forced all the firm's top executives to remain outside Russia. I have presently relocated to London. My boss has therefore instructed me in confidence to look for a reputable and capable individual who can assist us receive the US$48million for safekeeping and subsequent investment. All matters will be handled discreetly for safety of the funds.

You will be compensated with 20% of the total sum for your partnership. You will be required to stand as the beneficiary of the quoted sum, while I arrange all relevant documents, which will enable the release of the sum to you.

Please reach me immediately through my email address at lag_yuriy1@rediffmail.com sending to me your confidential telephone and fax number(s) so that I can reach you as soon as possible.

Thank you as I look forward to your earliest response.

Yours sincerely,

L. Yuriy.

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