419 scam: "ETNICO ALTERNATIVE JEWELERS LTD"<info@etnicojewelers.com> JOB OFFER....................................

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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "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. )
- "% of every transaction" (Beware of any scheme that involves depositing checks or money orders or receiving wire transfers in your bank account and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere, for a percentage of 5-15% of the total. Such offers are *always* fraudulent and you will be liable for the entire amount when the checks, money orders or wire transfers turn out to be fraudulent. Any money already forwarded comes out of *your* pocket then. )
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cashier's check" (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: "ETNICO ALTERNATIVE JEWELERS LTD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mrandybrown@mail.mn>
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 21:13:43 -0400
Subject: JOB OFFER....................................

Hello,

Compliments, I am James Burke CEO, Managing Director of Etnico alternative Jewelers Ltd. I have acquired your email address as a person who is actively involved in or is looking for an online business opportunity that would be like a part time job and compliment current earnings. At Etnico Jewelers Our expert buyers source latest designs and styles from around the world to bring a fantastic range of ultra modern Fashion and classical pieces in the top quality 24ct gold, diamond jewelry and Sterling Silver with prices and styles to suit our Clients.

Our commitment to bringing the latest designs at the very best price is ongoing and, as a result, our range is continually changing. Bringing the best for less is our credo. And this has made us stand out amongst our many competitors and given us a good name both at home and abroad. As a result of our distinct jewelry designs and a collection of rear diamond jewelry we have sold in galleries and to private collectors from all around the world.

However we are nearly always faced with difficulties when it comes to selling Jewelries to Americans and Canadians etc, because they always offer to pay with a US MO/CERTIFIED CHECK, which is very difficult for me to cash here in United Kingdom. As a result I am looking for a representative in the states or Canada who will be working for me as a part-time Executive Trustee and I am willing to pay 10% of every transaction, never the less this wouldn't affect your present state of work, someone trustworthy who would help me receive payments from my clients in the United States or Canada.

I mean someone that is responsible and reliable, because the cost of coming to the state and getting payments is very high, I am working on setting up a branch in the states, but for now I need a representative in the United States or Canada who will be handling this.

These payments could be in MO/check and they would come to you in your name, so all you need do is cash the MO deduct your percentage and wire the funds left, as you will be instructed. But one major problem I'll have is trust as unscrupulous individuals have burned me many times in the States or Canada..

JOB DESCRIPTION
1. Receive payment from Clients
2. Cash Payments
3. Deduct 10%, which will be your percentage/pay on Payment processed.
4. Forward balance after deduction of percentage/pay to any of the offices you will be contacted to send payment to (Payment is to be forwarded by Western Union Transfer).

It wouldn't cost you any UPFRONT CHARGES, you are to receive payments which will be sent to you via FedEx/UPScourier services from my business partners, which would come in form of a MO/Certified Cashier's Check in US PAYMENT then you are to cash it and send the cash to me via Western Union Transfer, all transfer fees should be deducted from the capital you are sending so you don't spend from your 10% income.

NOTE: This is not a money laundering operation and will not breach any law, each transfer will be processed according to your Country laws and taxes will be deducted from our part of the funds. If you are interested, kindly get back to me ASAP for further explanation.

Thanks.
James Burke
CEO, MD
Etnico alternative Jewelers Ltd
7 Mersey ways,
Stockport, Cheshire
SK1 1PN, UNITED KINGDOM

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam