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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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.

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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "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)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "observe utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
  • "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • vadim_petrov35@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: vadim_petrov35@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:12:43 GMT
Subject: VERY CONFIDENTIAL




Good Day,

Kindly accept my apology for contacting you via this medium. Although,we
haven't met before. Nevertheless, I have every reason to believe that you
are a highly respected and trustworthy personality. I got your contact
through your country's chambers of commerce and Industry. Although, I
don't know you personally but I believe God has made this contact
possible and also hope you will not disappoint me for trusting you.

Permit me to seek your attention in so informal a manner. I am Mr.Vadim
Alexandrovitch Petrov, Bank Manager of URALSIB BANK OAO RUSSIA and I have
an urgent and very confidential business proposition for you. On November
6, 2003, a British Oil consultant/contractor with YUKOS OIL COMPANY
(Russia's Largest Oil Company), Made a numbered time (Fixed) Deposit for
twelve calendar months, valued at US$40,000,000.00 (Forty Million United
States Dollars) in my branch. Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification
to his forwarding address but got no reply.

After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his
contract employers, the Russian Solid Minerals Corporation that he died
from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out that he
died without making a WILL and all attempts to trace his next of kin were
fruitless. I therefore made further investigation and discovered that
he did not declare any kin or relations in all his official
documents,including his Bank Deposit paperwork in my Bank.

This sum of US$40,000,000.00 (Forty Million United States Dollars) is
still sitting in my Bank and the interest is being rolled over with the
principal sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come forward to
claim it. According to Laws of Russia, at the expiration of 6 (six)
years,the money will revert to the ownership of the Russian Government if
nobody applies to claim the fund. Consequently, my proposal is that I will
like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin to the man so that
the fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some
corrupt government officials.

This is simple, We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting
and authorization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and
letter of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.A bank
account in any part of the world that you will provide we will then
facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of
kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio
of 50% for me and 50% for you.

There is no risk at all as all the paperwork for this transaction will
be done by the attorney and my position as the Branch Manager guarantees
the successful execution of this transaction. If you are interested,
please reply immediately via the private email address:
vadim_petrov35@yahoo.com.hk

Please observe utmost confidentiality, and rest assured that this
transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall
require your assistance to invest my share in your country.

Awaiting your urgent reply via my email address. vadim_petrov35@yahoo.com.hk

Thanks and regards
Mr Vadim Petrov

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam