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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "keep this confidential" (they don't want anyone to point out to you that this is a scam)
• This email message is a "Yukos oil" scam. The criminals who send such emails have no connection to Yukos Oil. The emails are usually sent from Nigeria. The only money that ever changes hands in this scam is from you to the criminals.
• 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.
  • vass_anthony@myway.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "vass anthony" <vassanthony@unionplus.net>
Date: Thu, 06 Jul 2006 13:26:42 -0700
Subject: HELLO DEAR{PRIVATE AND BRIEF}


Dear Friend,
I am Dr. Anthony R. Vass and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky the former C.E.O of Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have a very sensitive and confidential brief from this top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership in re-profiling funds US$42.3 Million. I will give the details, but in summary, the funds are coming via Bank Menatep. This is a legitimate transaction.
You will be paid 10% as your commision/compensation for your active efforts and contirbution to the success of this transaction.You can catch more of the story on This website below or you can watch more of CCN or BBC to get more news about my boss.
http://www.mosnews.com/mn-files/khodorkovsky.shtml
http://www.mbktrial.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3213505.stm
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/04/11/041.html http://www.nndb.com/people/633/000025558/
If you are interested, please do indicate by providing me with your confidential telephone number,fax number and email address and I will provide further details and instructions.
Please keep this confidential as we cannot afford more political problems. Please do send me your responseas soon as possible via my personal email: vass_anthony@myway.com,
look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Dr. Anthony R. Vass

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam