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.
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:
"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.
steel0home@consultant.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: STEEL HOME <steel0home@gmail.com> Reply-To: steel0home@gmail.comSTEEL HOME Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:15:32 +0000 Subject: ****NEW STEEL HOME LUCRATIVE OFFER****
New Page 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
WORK FROM HOME AT YOUR
COMFORT
I am Annie Shi, i represent CHINA STEEL HOME based in China.
The company markets and exports steel products and other products for world
trade from other steel producing companies in China
We are searching for representatives who can help us establish a medium of
getting to our customers in Europe, Canada and America as well as making
payments through you as our payment officer. It is upon this note that we found
your data on and we seek your assistance to stand as our representative in your
country as our part-time worker and representative of which you do not need to
relocate.
Note that, as our representative, you will receive 10% of whatever amount you
clear for the company and the balance will be paid into an account we will avail
to you. Please, to facilitate the conclusion of this transaction if accepted,
please do send me an email immediately to my private email address:
steel0home@consultant.com
You can ask any question concerning the areas where you are not clear and I
assure you that I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.
Thanks
Kindly complete the form
below.
CHINA STEEL HOME. www.steelhome.cn
NB:PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU ARE NOT FROM THE U.S.A.,CANADA,EUROPE .THESE ARE
THE ONLY PLACES WHERE WE NEED REPRESENTATIVES. OUR COMPANY'S LINE OF BUSINESS IS
VERY LUCRATIVE AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET BEING A MEMBER OF THE TEAM. IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED TO WORK WITH THE CHINA STEEL HOME, KINDLY CLICK ON YOUR REPLY PAGE OR
COPY THE ABOVE E-MAIL.
P:S: After You Have Emailed Your Information To Us ,You Should Endeavor To Check Your E-mail Both Inbox and Spam 2-3 Times In a Day To Read Updates From Us.
Thank you for your time.
Very Respectfully,
Annie Shi,
ADMIN MANAGER EUROPE & AMERICA
CHINA STEEL HOME
