419 scam: "Mr Zhang Laibin" <info@infonet.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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
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.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- steel_kaitai@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Zhang Laibin" <info@infonet.com>
Reply-To: steel_kaitai@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 08:04:21 +0800
Subject: Job Offer

11/F Teng Fuh Commercial Building ,
No.331-333,Queen's Road Central,
HONG KONG
Tel: +(852) 35824826
Fax: +(852) 35824827
www.kaitai.hk

Dear Sir/Madam

We got your email from a regional email directory. Shandong Kaitai Metal
Abrasive Co.,ltd,is one of the fastest growing indigenous steel company in
Hongkong with Head quaters in China.http://www.kaitai.hk/lyb_en/lyb-en.htm
We recently included Cast steel shot,Stainless cut wire shot and copper cast
to our list of products and export to American and Canadian industrial
market.

We are presently searching for individuals/corporate firm to act as our
official representative,collating records,as well as collecting payments from
customers.If you are interested in transacting business with us, we will be
very glad.For more information contact us with the following:I look
forward to
your prompt response via:steel_kaitai@yahoo.com.hk

Name:.......................
Age/Sex:....................
Marital Status:.............
Address:....................
Phone/Fax:.................
Present Occupation:.........

Subject to your satisfaction you will be given the opportunity to negotiate
the mode through which we will pay for your services as our representative
in your province.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Zhang Laibin
(Group MD,Kaitai Steel)
Tel:+(852) 35824826
Email:steel_kaitai@yahoo.com.hk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam