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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.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Janet Brown" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <janetbrown580@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 May 2014 14:56:51 -0700
Subject: "SECRET**SHOPPER***NEEDED"

 
Dear Shopper,
There is an offer being a Secret Shopper for Consumer Critique Inc, we
will get you hired to go to other peoples companies and act like a customer in order
to know how the staffs are handling their services in relation to their customers,
you would be directed to a bank/outlet that needs to be evaluated, and you would be given funds you need to carry out require services. After that, you would write a short comment on the staffs activities and give a detailed record of your experience.
Examples of details you would forward to us are:
1) How long it took you to get services.
2) Smartness of the attendant
3) Customer service professionalism
4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they
   react.
ABOUT US:
Secret Shopper® is the premier mystery shopping company, serving clients across
the globe with over one million of shoppers available and ready to help improve
better businesses services to customers. Continual investment in the latest
internet and communication coupled with over 16 years of technological know-how
in regards working with Secret Shopper® it's a satisfying and rewarding experience.
Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, and L.A.TIMES has made it a great
opportunity for participants.
Stores and organizations such as: Walmart,CVS,Rite Aid,Walgreens Kmart,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 in most cases , Secret Shopper® NEVER charges any form of fee to the shopper.
Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged fee for a particular shopping, reimbursement for a purchase or a combination of both Secret Shopper® has the funds available for a specific assignment and inspection of the customers service of any Walmart in your area. You are to shop secretly. Your commission will be paid straightaway as soon as you complete assignment.
The job will pay you $200.00 for each assignment you carry out.
A Pay check would be sent to you and you would be directed to the bank/outlet that needs
to be observed.
Email back with the below details if you are interested:
Full Name..................
Street Address.............
City.......................
State :....................
Zip/Postal code............
Home phone.................
Cell phone.................
Email......................
Occupation:................
Age........................
Gender.....................
Best Regards,
Janet Brown,
Secret Shopper Int®

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