419 scam: "Pinecone Reseach Inc"<test@test.com> Position Title: Customer Feedback Survey. fn.

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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:
- "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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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: "Pinecone Reseach Inc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <williams.richard1@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 19:41:09 +0200
Subject: Position Title: Customer Feedback Survey. fn.

You have been invited to participate in our Western union Valuation Surveys
!!!!
$150 per survey

Pine Cone Research assigns over 150,000 Western union surveys each year and
has provided business evaluation services for over 15 years. It is free to
sign up and we are always looking for enthusiastic new shoppers.

Through our business evaluation surveys,Pine Cone Research delivers an
accurate picture of the customer experience, using on-profile people in
real situations to report on their interaction. Apply to join our panel and
get paid to shop, enjoy leisure activities, or have your say on customer
service standards.

If you would like to be considered for assignments, please fill out the
Application below:

=====================
Names:
Address Line 1:
Address Line 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Home Phone Number :
Mobile Phone Number:
=====================

Thank You,

PineCone Research
250 East 5th St. 9th Floor,
Cincinnati, OH 45202
PineCone Research Copyright 2013© PineCone Research Foundation

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam