419 scam: "IAP" <russian_russ@yahoo.com.hk> Oil Brief;;;

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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:

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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "keep this confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it 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: "IAP" <russian_russ@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: russianlife1948@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2010 13:30:44 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Oil Brief;;;

Dear Friend,

Good day to you, thank you for receiving my email, this I really
appreciate. But first I like to make some things clear before I proceed.
This is a very serious transaction and a profitable should you accept to
proceed. I have concealed my identity, for security purposes. But when I
see how serious and your willingness to move on, I will disclose my
identity and all the required legitimate documents for this transaction as
we proceed, but for now I would give you a brief summery of what this
transaction entails.

I represent Mr. Mikhail Khordokovsky. The former C.E.O of Yukos Oil
Company, Russia. I have a very sensitive and confidential brief from this
top (oligarch) to ask for your partnership in re-profiling funds over
US$450 million. I will give the details, but in summary, the funds are
coming via Bank Menatep to a more secured bank. This is a legitimate
transaction. You will be paid 4% for your "management fees".

If you are interested, please write back on this email and provide me with
your confidential email and I will provide further details and
instructions. Please keep this confidential; we cannot afford more
political problems.

Finally, please note that this must be concluded within two weeks. Please
write back promptly to I will also suggest you visit these news sites on
the Internet to be better informed about this project.

http://www.supportmbk.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100304/ap_on_bi_ge/eu_france_yukos

Write me back. I look forward to it.

Regards,

Ivan

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam