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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Secret Shopper®"< frankrichardson@mcom.com>
Reply-To: <mathewcole1982@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 16:28:51 +0100
Subject: MYSTERY SHOPPER NEEDED !!!

Imagine getting paid to fill up your gas tank... to shop for groceries... go bowling... rent videos... order pizza? have a

nice meal out... get your carpets cleaned... shop for clothes... get a spa massage, pedicure and manicure... take your

family to a theme park... and even be pampered like royalty on a luxury cruise for two weeks....... Shadow Shopper

has the largest amount of information about mystery shopping,so you can get started immediately.You will be

required to interact with the shop clerk.You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple.
Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment:

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

First Name..............................................
Middle Name...........................................
Last Name.............................................
Street Address ......................................
City, State, Zip Code ..............................
Cell Phone Number ................................
Home Phone Number ...............................
Age........................................................
Current Occupation.................................

Alternate Email Address ..........................
AVAILABILITY:
Days/Hours Available
Monday ................................................
Tuesday ................................................
Wednesday ............................................
Thursday ...............................................
Friday .....................................................

Anti-fraud resources: