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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• 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:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "from the desk of" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "FROM THE DESK OF LARISA SOSNITSKAYA" <larisayukos@walla.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:20:29 -0800
Subject: BUSNINESS TRANSACTION.

FROM THE DESK OF LARISA SOSNITSKAYA
YUKOS OIL,
RUSSIA.

Dear Friend,

I am Larisa Sosnitskaya 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$46 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 20% as your
commission/compensation for your active efforts and contribution to the
success of this transaction.

If you are interested, please do indicate by providing me with your full
names, 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
and do send me your response as soon as possible via my personal email:
larisanit2006@aol.com

I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Larisa Sosnitskaya

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam