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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Luis Anton" <luis_antonmail@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: luis_antonmail@satellite-email.com
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2005 13:43:00 -0600
Subject: C.E.O of Yukos Oil

Dear sir

I am Luis Smertin and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the former C.E.O
of Yukos Oil Company in Russia.

I have a very sensitive and confidential brief from him to ask for your
partnership in re-profiling funds in a private
bank investment portfolio in Europe.

I will give the details, but in summary, the funds are coming via Bank
Menatep in Russia. This is a
legitimate transaction. You will be paid 5% of the portfolio investment
value as your "management fees". If you
are interested, please write back to me via my private E-mail
luis_antonmail@satellite-email.com and provide me with
your confidential telephone number, fax number and email address and I will
provide further details and if you are
satisfied I can proceed with the instructions.

Please we can not afford any political problems because of recent events in
Russia. So I will advice you keep this
to your self.

Finally, please note that this must be concluded within reasonable time
frame therefore your prompt reply is essential.

Write me back. I look forward to it.

Best Regards

Luis Smertin.
Reply To: luis_antonmail@satellite-email.com


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