419 scam: "HOLMES AND SELLERS" <info.michaelholmes90@qatar.io> EARN NO LESS THAN $200 WEEKLY TO ADVERTISE ON YOUR CAR.

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "application fee" (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. )
- "money order " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "HOLMES AND SELLERS" <info.michaelholmes90@qatar.io>
Reply-To: michaelholmes1990@qatar.io
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:17:01 +0800
Subject: EARN NO LESS THAN $200 WEEKLY TO ADVERTISE ON YOUR CAR.

ADVERTISER WANTED FOR HOLMES&SELLERS
EARN NO LESS THAN $200 WEEKLY TO ADVERTISE ON YOUR CAR.
It is Very Easy and Simple
No Application fees required.

How it works :

Here's the basic premise of the "paid to drive" concept: HOLMES&SELLERS seeks
people -- regular citizens, not professional drivers -- to go about their
normal routine as they usually do, only with a big advert for
"HOLMES&SELLERS" plastered on your car. The ads are typically vinyl decals,
also known as "auto wraps," that almost seem to be painted on the vehicle,
and which will cover any portion of your car's exterior surface.

What does the company get out of this type of ad strategy ? Lots of exposure
and awareness. The auto wraps tend to be colorful and eye-catching and
attract lots of attention. Plus, it's a form of advertising with a captive
audience, meaning people who are stuck in traffic can't avoid seeing the
wrapped car alongside them. This program will last for 3 months and the
minimum period you can participate is 1 month.

You will be compensated with a $200 (Two hundred dollars per Week), which is
essentially a "rental" payment for letting our company use the space.

HOLMES&SELLERS shall provide experts that will handle the advert placing on
your car. You will receive an up front payment of $400 (Four hundred dollars)
in form of Money Order for accepting to carry this advert on your car and
other weekly payments will also come in the form of Money Order and delivered
at your address weekly.

Please fill the following information below and return if you would be
interested and we would get back to you soonest.

Full Name:
Address: ( No P.O BOX )
city:
State:
Zip code:
Age:
Occupation:
Make of car/ year:
Phone Number(s) mobile/home :
Email Address:

We shall contact you as soon as we receive these information.

HOLMES&SELLERS looks forward to work with you.

Michael Holmes.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam