419 scam: "Mr. Putin Chaw" <wenchen777@live.com> ATTENTION: Job Offer!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "i got your email address from " (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mail_chaww@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Putin Chaw" <wenchen777@live.com>
Reply-To: mail_chaww@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 00:08:45 -0300 (GRNLNDST)
Subject: ATTENTION: Job Offer!

Dear Friend,

I know this is an unconventional way of introducing a business, but if you
can take time to read my letter carefully, you will understand the
necessity for my action. I got your email address from the Ministry of
Commerce Directory. I have a profiling sum in an excess of $25M (Twenty
Five Million United States Dollars) which I seek your partnership in
accommodating for me.

INTRODUCTION OF MY SELF:
I am Putin Chaw, a Personal Assistance to Mikhail Khodorkovsky the richest
man in Russia and owner of the following companies: Chairman CEO: YUKOS
OIL (Russian Most Largest Oil Company) Chairman CEO: Menatep SBP Bank (A
reputable financial institution with its branches all over the world).

SOURCE OF FUNDS:
The documents of the above sum in question were handed over to me to be
used in payment of an American Oil Merchant for his last Oil deal with my
boss (Mikhail Khodorkovsky). Already the funds have been deposited with a
security company some where in the United Kingdom (undisclosed for now),
where the final crediting is expected to be carried out. While I was on
the process, My Boss got arrested for his political involvement 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 treat to President Vladimir
Putin’s second tenure as Russian President. You can catch more of the
story on this site http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/13/51215.html

YOUR ROLE:
All I need from you is to stand as the beneficiary of the above quoted sum
and I will arrange for the documentation which will enable transfer of the
sum to you. As soon as I get your willingness to comply through my most
private email address: [ mail_chaww@yahoo.com.hk ], I will give you more
details needed for the successful completion of this transaction.

Thank you very much

Regards,

Mr. Putin Chaw.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam