419 scam: "Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi" <gholidoost@aut.ac.ir> RE

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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:

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:
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
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.
- email.mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi" <gholidoost@aut.ac.ir>
Reply-To: mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:33:54 +0330
Subject: RE

Asalamalakum? Greetings,

I am Safia Farkash, wife of the brutally murdered Libyan leader Col.Muammar Gaddafi, who before his death he was engaged in embattle by the unfaithful opposition leaders in my country. Following the heat as a result of the crises in Libya and prior to the death of my late husband, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, I was able to escape to a Neighboring country,Algeria with my daughter who recently gave birth to save our lives. I am desperately looking for a foreign reliable partner whom I can trust to handle some funds on our behalf.

The UN and the Western world have freezed most of our assets and funds bearing Gaddafi's name anywhere in the world Consequently, our status/position of the present state does not permit us to open an account or run any huge financial business at the moment,hence I contacted you to claim the funds. The necessary Legal documents will be changed to your name to enable the release of the funds to you by the finacial Company. Your assistance will enable us invest the funds in your country. But before we proceed you will promise me that you will not betray or abscond with the funds when it is eventually released to you. Last time the government moved to officially to freeze the assets held by the Libyan regime in the UK following sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council,it is not even normal for me to be searching for a prospective partner at this time of an inreparable grief and broken heartedness that i am passing through with my family.

But this move is deem fit as we do not know the next line of action by our detractors,hence i want to move all known available funds of the family to a safe place,now that my husband has been killed.Your commitment to assist us will be greatly appreciated. I will furnish you with more info as soon as I see your response indicating your interest to partner with me. At present I won't receive or make calls for security reason (s) as it is being monitored. All communication is based on internet. Waiting for your prompt and positive response.

Thanks.
Mrs.Safia Farkash Gaddafi
Email.mis.safiafarkash21@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

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