419 scam: Perry Ritchard <perryritz@gmail.com> REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED.

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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money gram" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a company representative scam. This type of job offer scam involves the cashing of fake checks and money orders. It could expose you to losses of tens of thousands of dollars as well as to the risk of criminal prosecution and (in some cases) imprisonment.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: Perry Ritchard <perryritz@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:19:10 +0900 (KST)
Subject: REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED.

Dear Friend,
My name is Perry Ritchard, I am an artist based in the United
Kingdom(UK). I own PERITZ ART WORLD, London, England(UK).
Most of my work is done in either pencil or art brush. I have
recently added designing and creating artwork on the computer
and sculpture, I have been selling my art for the last 3 years
and have had my work featured on trading cards, prints and in
magazines, I have sold in galleries and to private collectors
from all around the world.
I am always facing serious difficulties when it comes to selling my
art works to Americans, they are always offering to pay with
money order or cashier's cheque, which is difficult for me to cash
here in London, United Kingdom. I am looking for a representative
in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who will be working for me
as a part time worker and i am willing to pay 10% for every
transaction, which wouldn't affect your present state of work,
someone who would help me receive payments from my customers
in the United States/Canada, I mean someone that is responsible
and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting
payments is very expensive, I am working on setting up a branch in
the state,so for now i need a representative in the United States Of
America who will be handling the payment aspect for our company.
These payments are in money order or casher's cheque and they
would come to you in your name if you are willing to assist as a
representative, so all you need do is cash the money order deduct
your percentage and western union Charges then wire the rest back.
NOTE: All charges of the Western Union money transfer or Money
Gram will be deducted from the money, so you are rest assured that
you wouldn't spend a dime out of your personal money. If you are
interested, please get back to me as soon as possible via email.
N:B, Please send to me the listed information below:
#Your full name,
#Your full home address,
#Your age,#Occupation and as well your #marital status and your
#direct contact telephone number,
I will be needing your home address, so I can forward it to my
customers to send you the cashier's cheque via Fedex or overnight
shipment.
Thanks for your assistant and God bless.

Perry Ritchard.
PERITZ ARTS INC,
London, United Kingdom.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam