419 scam: "Mr. Marek Koztowski."<test@zufe.edu.cn> YOUR INHERITANCE INVESTMENT PROJECT

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
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.
- mr.marekkoztowaki@yahoo.de (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: (sent from abused email account)
Reply-To: <lp2009_ch@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:59:31 +0100
Subject: YOUR INHERITANCE INVESTMENT PROJECT

Good Day,

Thank you for giving me your time. Please be patient and read my email to you.

I am Mr. Marek Koztowski, I work as an auditor for a suisse bank I have a Business Proposition for you and I believe is of mutual benefit to both of us if you are interested in partnering with me.

A Client of mine sharing same details as you who is a businessman, and also a General with the Iraqi forces, made a fixed deposit of Thirty million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars in my bank, a number of notices was sent to him after the war, which began in 2003, but no response came from him till date. We later found out that he was killed in a bomb blast that hit his home, he died together with his entire family wife and three kids.

After more inquiry it was also discovered that the late Gen. did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. What bothers me most is according to the laws of this country at the expiration of 6 years the funds will be revert to the ownership of the swiss Government if nobody comes for the funds, Against this scenery, I have all the information needed to claim these funds and I want you to act as the beneficiary of the deposit, there is no risk involved in this matter, as we are going to adopt a legitimate method and also employ the assistance of an attorney who will prepare all the necessary documents.

All I require is your honest co-operation and I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of the law. Please accept my apologies, keep my confidence and disregard this email if you do not appreciate this proposition I have offered you. All confirmable documents to back up this funds shall be made available to you, as soon as I receive your reply, I shall let you know what is required of you. If you are interested please get back to me through my private email: (mr.marekkoztowaki@yahoo.de).

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Regards from,
Mr. Marek Koztowski.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam