14 DAY TRIAL // In December 2013, Russian dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former chairman and CEO of the Yukos oil company, was released from prison. The story has made a lot of headlines over the world, creating a perfect opportunity for scammers.
Researchers from Kaspersky have come across an email that purports to come from an individual with “diplomatic position.” He needs the recipient’s help in moving $50 million (€37 million) from a “Trust account.”
The money was allegedly stashed in the account by Russian oil merchants that are about to be prosecuted by the Russian government for fraud.
“There is some set of very wealthy set of Russian Crude Oil Merchants based in Russia. Presently they are being prosecuted by the Russian government over Fraud which of course I know they will be eventually go to Jail for a period of 15 years according to Russian Law,” the poorly written emails read.
“But the fortunate thing is that it was quick for them to have arranged the funds to move into a Trust Account in the UK where one of my old friends is a signatory to also due to my Diplomatic Position.”
Of course, the deal must be hidden from Russian and British authorities. Also, the sender prefers to communicate over the phone instead of email for security reasons.
Given Khodorkovsky story, this tale might seem true to some people who could end up giving their money to con artists.
Once they call up the scammers, users will likely be instructed to hand over a sum that’s allegedly needed to transfer the money from the Trust into their own bank accounts.
The scammers will keep pushing for more money until the victim realizes that it’s nothing but a malicious scheme. Unfortunately, the money sent to scammers is difficult to recover, so avoid responding to suspicious emails.