419 scam: "Itochu Corporation Japan" <info@itochu.co.jp> Representive Partner!!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "top of the day to you" (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.
- info_itoltd@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Itochu Corporation Japan" <info@itochu.co.jp>
Reply-To: itochucorp001@9.cn
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:49:31 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Representive Partner!!

Dear Representive Partner,
Top of the day to you. Let me crave your indulgence to introduce myself to
you,I am Mr. Eizo Kobayishi . President of ITOCHU CORPORATION LTD. We
export cement, sugar and textile materials into the Canada/America and
Europe.
Due to the increase in demand of our products in North and South America
continent and Europe we have decided to move our products fully into the
continent of America & Europe, Africa, Asia. By so doing,we are searching
for reliable persons/companies who can act as a RECEIVING PAYMENTS AGENT
who will act as medium of reach between our customers and us in their area
of locality.
We want to solicit for your assistance to act as our company
representative at your location and entitled to 10% of whatever amount
you receive from customers.Kindly reply to email contact for more details
if interested and if not,kindly disregard the offer by not contacting us.
Thanks.
Name: Mr. Eizo Kobayishi
Email: info_itoltd@yahoo.com.hk
ITOCHU CORPORATION LTD

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam