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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: "Alexei Zakharenk (Mr.)" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zakalexei@sify.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:48:25 -0500
Subject: STRICTLY BUSINESS PLEASE.

Dear Prospective Partner

I am Mr. Alexei Zakharenko a personal treasurer to Mikhail Khodorkovsky,the Richest man in Russia and owner of the following companies: Chairman CEO: YUKOS OIL (Russian Largest Oil Company) Chairman CEO: Menatep SBP Bank (A well reputable financial institution with its Branches all over the world)
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
I have a profiling amount in an excess of US$100.5M, which I seek your Partnership in accommodating for me. You will be rewarded with 10% of the total sum for your partnership. Can you be my partner on this?

INTRODUCTION OF MY SELF As a personal consultant to him, authority was handed over to me in transfer of money of an American oil merchant for his last oil deal with my boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Already the funds have left the shore of Russia to a European private Bank where the final crediting is expected to be carried out. While I was on the process, My Boss got arrested for his Involvement in politics by financing the leading and opposing political parties (the Union of Right Forces, Led by Boris Nemtsov, and Yabloko, a liberal/social democratic party Led by Gregor Yavlinsky) which poses a treat to President Vladimir Putin Second Tenure as Russian president. You can catch more of the story on this website:
http://www.yukos.com
http://news.ft.com/cms/4bb9612a-d254-11d8-b661-00000e2511c8.html
http://www.hoovers.com/yukos/--ID__53700--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4105663
http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/13/51215.html
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050531/ap_on_bi_ge/russia_khodorkovsky

YOUR ROLE: All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the Above quoted Sum and I will re-profile the funds with your name, which will enable The European bank transfer the sum to you. I have decided to use this Sum to relocate to your continent and never to be connected to any Of Mikhail Khodorkovsky conglomerates. As Soon as I confirm your readiness to conclude the Transaction with me, I will provide you with the details.
Thank you very much.

Regards
Alexei Zakharenko (Mr.)
Email: zakalexei@sify.com


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