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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: <latinvest@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: <irdi3@mail.kz>
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 14:36:50 -0800
Subject: Require your assistance to stand as beneficiary

Sir,
 
I am certain and have confidence in your reliability which is the reason I solicit your partnership and co-operation in a pending transaction requiring maximum confidentiality.
 
I am an Administrative assistant to Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky the Chairman/CEO of the YUKOS OIL CORPORATION (Russian Largest Oil Corporation) with branch offices worldwide.
 
As an assistant to Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky, some documents for $150 Million USD was handed over to me for the payment of a foreign contractor. Already Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky has released this funds $150 Million USD to the offshore account of Yukos Oil Corp from where the final wire transfer is expected to be carried out.
 
While I was working on the final Approval Documents for transferring the funds, Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested. See the website below to better understand the problem facing Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky:
 
 
 
 
 
Mr. Khodorkovsky involvement and financial support for the opposition political party in Russia posed the greatest challenge ever to Vladimir V. Putin who happens to be the current Prime Minister of Russia and was formerly president from 2000 to May 7, 2008.
 
Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky who was considered as the most powerful of the Russian business oligarchs was later prosecuted and sentenced to prison on charges of massive fraud and tax evasion. The Russian government has filed new charges against Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky with an aim of keeping him in prison indefinitely. A wide variety of local & foreign politicians, civil activists and journalists considers the process leading to the imprisonment of Mr. Khodorkovsky to be politically motivated.
 
Due to the imprisonment of Mr. Khodorkovsky, I have decided to move out some funds for safe keeping and investment. Therefore, I solicit your help so you can stand as the foreign contractor/beneficiary of the said funds after which we can re-profile the Approval Documents in your favour which would be forwarded to the Paying Bank for the wire transfer of $150 Million USD from the Yukos Oil Corp Account to you as final beneficiary.
 
Upon receipt of your immediate response, we shall discuss the compulsory modalities to see this transaction to successful conclusion. Note that you will be entitled to 15% share of the total funds as your compensation for your assistance. I consequently request your maximum assistance and co-operation to facilitate the transfer of the $150 Million USD from the offshore account of Yukos Oil Corporation where these huge funds were deposited.
 
In conclusion, I guarantee that this transaction would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law. Please keep this transaction confidential and note that this transaction must be concluded within two weeks.
 
I need you to confirm your participation so we can proceed with this transaction quickly as I await your prompt reply.
 
Best Regards,
 
Dr. Latin.

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