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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Vladislav Putin" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <vladislavputin044@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 May 2011 13:03:32 -0500
Subject: Respond Urgently

Dearest friend,

I am Dr. Vladislav Putin, a personal treasurer to Mikhail Khodorkovsky the Richest man in Russia and owner of the following companies:Chairman CEO: YUKOS OIL (Russian Largest Oil Company) Chairman CEO: Menatep SBP Bank (A well reputable financial institution with its Branches all over the world), I want to reprofile the total sum of $165.3 Million US Dollars to your country or any part of world where you maintain an offshore account for immediateinvestment without barring any delay.

Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4482203.stm

It has been carefully networked with my experience and for the past three months I have worked out everything to ensure
a hitch-free operation, if you can be honest with me, then you will take 35% of the total fund.

However, I am presently in London from where I will be handling the transaction with you for confidential reasons.

I will appreciate your help & cooperation.

Best Regards,

Dr. Vladislav Putin

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