419 scam: Mr.Khaled Rateb <mrsfa4@yahoo.co.uk> I want to Invest in your country, I am Mr.Khaled Rateb of Syria

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
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.
- khaledrateb1@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Mr.Khaled Rateb <mrsfa4@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: khaledrateb1@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:51:39 +0000
Subject: I want to Invest in your country, I am Mr.Khaled Rateb of Syria

-- -- Dear Friend,

I am Mr.Khaled Rateb of Syria former personal assistance to late Gen, Daoud Rajiha,from Syria. Due to the war in my country Syria which destroyed everything. I escaped as refugee now. I don't want you to take my contact to you as a problem but I want you to cooperate with me and give assistance to complete the project to your possession.

Please can read more about the Syrian war on this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18889030

I want you to assist me secure USD16,300,000 to your possession for investment in your country. kindly contact me back via email and I will give you more details. Please Contact me only on this my private email: khaledrateb1@yahoo.com

Regards
Mr.Khaled Rateb

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam