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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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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:
  • "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.
  • yukosoilcorporation@katamail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: <yukosoil@universia.net.mx>
Reply-To: yukosoilcorporation@katamail.com
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2006 08:39:01 +0100
Subject: Hello


Hello Friend,

I am Dr.Sergey Vilkov,and I represent Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky the former C.E.O of Yukos Oil Company in Russia. I have avery 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 Federal Ministry of finance Russia.

This is a legitimate transaction.You will be paid 10% for your "Management Fees".If you are interested,please write back and provideme with your confidential telephone number,fax number,and I will provide further details and instructions.

Please keep this confidential, as we can't afford more political problems.Finally,please note that this must be concluded within two weeks. Please write back promptly to {yukosoilcorporation@katamail.com}

I look forward to it.

Regards,
Dr.Sergey Vilkov

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam