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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: "Mystery Shoppers Guide" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mysteryshoppersusa@mail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 05:11:03 +0530
Subject: Mystery Shoppers Guide!!!

Dear Sir/Ma,

"We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to participate"Secret Shopper®
is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. Its fun and rewarding, and you
choose when and where you want to shop. You are never obligated to accept an assignment. There is no
charge to become a shopper and you do not need previous experience. After you sign up, you will have
access to training materials via e-mail, fax or postal mail. ABOUT US.Secret Shopper® is the premier mystery
shopping company; serving clients across America and Canada with over 500,000 shoppers available and
ready to help businesses serve their customers better. Continual investment in the latest internet and
communication technologies coupled with over 16 years of know-howmeans working with Secret Shopper®
is a satisfying and rewarding experience. Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS,
NBC NEWS, L.A.TIMES.

Stores and organizations such as The Gap, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, and Banks. One amongst many others
pays for Secret Shoppers to shop in their establishments and report their experiences. On top of being p
aid for shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free. Secret Shopper® NEVER charges fees
to the shopper. Training, tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to registered s
hoppers. Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged fee for a particular shop, a reimbursement for a
purchase or a combination of both. Secret Shopper® has available for immediate assignment an inspection
of the customer service of any Wal-Mart in your area. You are to shop secretly and invest just a token.

This fee will be paid upfront. During this shop you will visit the location and make several observations as
regards the customer service. You will be required to interact with the shop clerk. You may conduct the
shop alone or as a couple. The assignment you are to do for us to help the company as an account officer
you will be responsible to receive every payment coming from our customers in the states and will also be
entitled with 5% of every payment received. 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...

Days/Hours Available
Monday .............................................
Tuesday ............................................
Wednesday ..........................................
Thursday ...........................................
Friday .............................................
Saturday ...........................................
Sunday .............................................

Hours Available: from _______ to ______

We await your urgent response.

Thank you for your help. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely, Mary L KangalS
ecret Shopper®
mysteryshoppersusa@mail.com

Anti-fraud resources: