419 scam: "OFFICIAL REMINDER"<bruce@yahoo.com> IN OUR BEST INTEREST!!!

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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:
- "you will be entitled to 30%" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
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: "OFFICIAL REMINDER" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <brucemills09@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2016 23:31:39 +0100
Subject: IN OUR BEST INTEREST!!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

I got your contact in my search for a reliable partner. Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky is looking to work with a reputable individual/firm to mop up and place funds into viable investment ventures in your Country and perhaps with your assistance, we could evade high taxes.

I am a staff/member of the inner circle of Mr. Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky (the former Chairman/CEO of Yukos Oil Company) who was imprisoned in Russia on false charges of fraud and tax evasion by the current Russian President Mr. Vladimir V. Putin.
For more details, please follow this links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Khodorkovsky
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/20/mikhail-khodorkovsky-russia-richest-man

Before the arrest of Mr. Mikhail Khodorovsky, we where in the process to complete the documentations for the payment of US$500 Million for contract execution under Yukos, while working on the issuance of the approval documents for payment Mr. Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested which led to the suspension of this payment.
Mr. Khodorkovsky was released from prison on 20th December, 2013, he is reuniting with family.

Now that Mr. Khodorkovsky is a free man again, it is time to complete the US$500 Million transaction. For the purpose of confidentiality, the initial foreign company name listed as beneficiary belongs to Mr. Khodorkovsky and with current event, this company name cannot be used in other not to put the contract payment of US$500 Million at risk.

I solicit your help so you can stand as the foreign contractor / beneficiary of the said funds after which we can re-profile the Approval documents with your details to secure the payment of US$500 Million to you as beneficiary. Upon receipt of your immediate response, we shall discuss the compulsory modalities to see this transaction to successful conclusion.

Note that you will be entitled to 30% share of the total funds as your compensation for your assistance. I consequently request your maximum assistance and co-operation to facilitate the release of the funds to you.
In conclusion, I guarantee that this transaction would be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect us from any breach of law. Please keep this transaction confidential and note that this transaction must be concluded within two weeks.

If you cannot assist then I will suggest that you introduce anyone you consider trustworthy and capable to work with me on this confidential transaction.
Finally, but most importantly, I beseech you not to utter the slightest word about Mr. Khodorovsky to anyone necessary to keep him safe.
I await your prompt reply as soon as possible.

Best Regards,

Mr. BRUCE MILLS.
Assistant to Mr. Khodorovsky,
Moscow , Russia.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam