419 scam: "Av. Harunna Karatas"<av.ilhan@worldproject.org> can you handle this?

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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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Av. Harunna Karatas" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <av.harunakaratas@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2021 10:57:30 -0500
Subject: can you handle this?

Attn:

Dear sir,

I am, Av. Harunna Karatas, financial Consultant at AK BANK, Republic of Turkey, Istanbul. I am writing this letter to present a business proposal which would be a mutually benefit for us. I have a client who have a substantial amount of $25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million United States Dollars Only) deposited at our bank vault (AK BANK) to invest in any good business that will generate profit in or outside your country. The client who is now deceased after tested positive on COVID-19 early last year (February, 2020) after his holiday time to visit China to look for a business opportunity to invest for his only son when he becomes of age.

I am writing this email to bring you in as a business partner to late (Mr. Patrick Livingstone). If you are willing to participate in this business investment proposition, see this as an opportunity for yourself and that of his only son you will receive 20% of the principal fund and while 10% will be set aside for any expenses that incurred during the process of this investment e.g. office space rentals and staff recruitment etc. 70% will go into the business investment for a period of 10 years which the annual turnover profit will be shared 50-50 between you and the late client’s son (Jeffrey P. Livingstone Jr.)

I want you to understand that every necessary measure and formalities to make this investment opportunity a success has been set in motion. You will be given a certified power of attorney to execute, transact, and manage the said funds as you see fit without any alteration or involvement from a second party so long as you come up with a solid and profitable business plan and lucrative idea for this investment agenda. If you are willing and interested to participate in this project, please submit to me the following information stated below;

Full Name & Address:
Company Name & Address
Direct Tel/Fax Number:
Attach photo-page of your international passport or driver's license.

Prior to your interest and compliance to submit the information stated above, you shall be refer to the late client attorney who shall facilitate to you the necessary documents such as power of attorney and deed of agreement letter and affidavit of claim support letter for the investment, which shall be between you and the late client’s son (Jeffrey P. Livingstone Jr.)

I anticipate your prompt response.

Yours truly,

Av. Harunna Karatas.
Financial Advisor.
AK BANK Regional Home.
Istanbul, Republic of Turkey

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam