Mike Stevenson - Advance Fee Fraud

The Commission has recently become aware of emails received by members of the Public purporting to have been sent by the above named individual.

Within the emails, which purport to have been sent from an address in Douglas, Isle of Man, the above named individual claims to be employed as “credit officer of the Habib European Bank Limited”.

The emails claim that a “Vyacheslav Scherbakov who was a top management staff with the YUKOS Group in Russia” made a “numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twelve Million Pounds”. The emails go on to claim that Mr Scherbakov was “shot dead by unknown gunmen” and “did not declare any next of kin in his official papers”. The emails purport to seek that the recipient “as a foreigner” act “as the next of kin to Vyacheslav Scherbakov so that you will be able to receive his funds”.

The Commission wishes to draw attention to the following observations regarding the aforementioned emails:

There is a genuine holder of an Isle of Man Banking License called Habib European Bank Limited with offices in Douglas, Isle of Man. Details of all licence holders of the Commission are available on our website.

There is no person by the name of Mike Stevenson now or formerly employed by the genuine Habib European Bank Limited on the Isle of Man as “credit officer” or in any other role.

Under the circumstances the Commission feels that these emails are being issued to either tempt the recipient into becoming the victim of an Advance Fee Fraud.

or are an attempt at gaining personal data from the recipient in order to steal their identity.

Under the circumstances the Commission would encourage people receiving emails matching the above description to refrain from responding to them in any way.

Any persons who are already involved in any dealings resulting from the above emails and have concerns should contact the Enforcement Division on +44 1624 689313 or by email to fsc@gov.im .

Any persons who have paid out funds in relation to the above emails or who have provided personal financial details in relation to the above emails should consider contacting their local police fraud unit without delay.

FSC reference: JPM/28/2005