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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "keep this confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a "Yukos oil" scam. The criminals who send such emails have no connection to Yukos Oil. The emails are usually sent from Nigeria. The only money that ever changes hands in this scam is from you to the criminals.
• 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.
  • hamma@teenmail.co.za

Fraud email example:

From: Peace Haven <peace_haven@msn.com>
Reply-To: hamma@teenmail.co.za
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 08:37:16 +0000
Subject: VERY URGENT

RE: BUSINESS PROPOSAL.

Wishing you a prosperous New Year in Advance.

I am Gu Zhong Qun 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 this top (oligarch) to ask
for your partnership in re-profiling funds over US$12 million. I
will give the details, but in summary, the funds are held up with a
deposit institution abroad.

This is a legitimate transaction.
You will be paid your"management fees".

If you are interested, please write back by email and provide me
with your confidential telephone and fax numbers,occupation and
email address and I will provide further details and instructions.
Please keep this confidential; we cant afford more political
problems.Finally, please note that this must be concluded as soon
as possible.

Please write back promptly. I will also suggest you visit these
news sites on the internet to be better informed about this project.

http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/13/51215.html

http://www.supportmbk.com/mbk/mbk_bio.cfm

http://www.disinfopedia.org/wiki.phtml?title=Mikhail_B._Khodorkovsky

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/moscow/khodorkovskyinterview.html

http://mikhail_khodorkovsky_society.blogspot.com/

As soon as l hear from you,l will send you a copy of my
international passport details.

Please forward all correspondence and response to my confidential
E-mail:hamma@teenmail.co.za

Regards,
Gu Zhong Qun.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam