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

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Albert Missbichler" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <irdi33@maktoob.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:20:36 -0800
Subject: Require your Assistance to receive $150 Million USD.

Dear Sir,
 
I got your contact from January, 2009 worldwide database and yellow pages encyclopaedia after due consideration believing you are highly respected personality. Although, I do not know to what extent you are familiar with events, hence I decided to contact you.
 
I am Dr. Albert Missbichler, Executive Finance Director of YUKOS OIL Corporation (Russian Largest Oil Corporation) a well reputable Oil Corporation founded by Mr. Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky who was considered as the most powerful of the Russian business oligarchs, and the 16th wealthiest man in the world.
 
I solicit your strictest confidence in this transaction; this is by virtue of its nature as being utterly confidential and TOP SECRET with great magnitude involving a pending transaction requiring maximum confidence.
 
I am sure and have confidence in your ability and reliability to prosecute this entire transaction. The documents of $150 Million U.S Dollars was handed over to me for payment of a foreign contractor, already Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky has released this funds which presently is with the paying Bank from where the final transfer is expected to be carried out but while I was on the process of transferring the funds, Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested on the 25th of October, 2003 and was later sentenced to (9) nine years in prison on the 31st of May, 2005 on charges of massive fraud and tax evasion.
 
A wide variety of international journalists, considers the process to be politically motivated due to Mr. Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky support for the opposition political party in Russia.
 
Therefore, I solicit your help to stand as the foreign contractor/beneficiary of the said funds after which we can reprofile all documents in your favour which would be forwarded to the paying bank for the wire transfer of the $150 Million U.S Dollars into your nominated bank account.
 
Upon receipt of your immediate response, we shall discuss the compulsory modalities to see this transaction to successful conclussion. I have all necessary documents to secure the transfer in your favour.
 
Note that you will be entitled to share 15% of the total funds.
 
I consequently request your maximum assistance and approvals to facilitate the transfer of the above funds from the paying Bank, where these huge funds were deposited. Upon confirmation of your readiness to execute this magnificent transaction with me.
 
In conclusion, I guarantee that this operation will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law. If you cannot assist then I would suggest that you introduce any of your close relation, friend OR business associate that can assist see this transaction to a success as you would be adequately compensated.
 
See the website to understand the problem facing my boss Mr. Mikhail Borisovich Khodorkovsky:
 
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5216SZ20090302
 
http://www.javno.com/en-world/jailed-tycoon-khodorkovsky-in-court-on-new-charges_239284
 
 
Best Regards,
 
 
Dr. Albert Missbichler.
 
 

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