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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: "Mr. Allen White" <info@mysteryshopper.com>
Reply-To: <allenwhite.off@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 12:19:50 +0100
Subject: EARN $200 FOR EACH ASSIGNMENT AS A MYSTERY SHOPPER@

Dear Candidate,

We have a job offer available for you that will not disturb your present
occupation. Currently we have available position for you to work for us. See
below description.

"We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to
participate" Mystery Shopping Providers Association® (MSPA) is accepting
applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. It's 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 better serve their customers. Continual investment in the latest
internet and communication technologies coupled with over 16 years of know-how
means 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 pay for Secret Shoppers to shop in their establishments and report their
experiences. On top of being paid for shopping you are also allowed to keep
purchases for free. Secret Shopper® NEVER charge fees to the shopper. Training,
tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to registered
shoppers. Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged fee for a particular
shop, a reimbursement for a purchase or a combination of both assignment that
the Secret Shopper® has available

You will be required to interact with the shop clerk.
You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple.
The assignment will pay $200.00 or more per duty


Assignment: We have had complaints on some western union, walmart, Restaurant
and money gram location in the services they render and we want you to
investigate it personally as our new Evaluator in your area By Going there to
send funds. We will be sending you Payment in form of Money Orders to carry out
this assignment. So please take note of these instructions below.
We will send you Money Order which you will take to your Bank for Instant
Cashing then you are to proceed to the location we are going to allocate to you
for investigation and you are to carry out every instructions we will be sending
to you via email to investigate this location.
We will want for you to email us as soon as you have carried out the
comprehensive investigation and let us understand what you found out about your
survey.
I hope you do understand what we have requested for you to do as our new
Evaluator, Please confirm you do understand so we can approve your application
and your new assignment will kick off immediately.
This is a very exciting job and is very rewarding. So please get back to us
confirming your interest and we await your response for us to go ahead and
approve you.

Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly
with the assignment:

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address (No Po Box Acceptable) :
City, State, Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number/Home Phone Number:
Age:
Current Occupation:
Alternate Email Address:
AVAILABILITY:
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 working with you.
Email:allenwhite.off@hotmail.com


Sincerely,
Allen White
Recruiting Department,
MSPA®

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