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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: "OPEN POSITION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <secret.shopper58@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2015 17:42:44 +0900
Subject: JOB EMPLOYMENT: OPEN POSITION

Dear Sir/Madam,

We are a charter member of the Mystery-Shopping Provider's Association (MS-PA), You have been selected for assignment as a Mysteryshoppers in your area.
Your commission is $200 per assignment, your employment packet will include funds for the shopping. There's no charge to apply to become a shopper.

Payment check or money order will be a certain amount which you would be required to cash your bank then deduct your salary, and have the rest used for the evaluation.

If you would like to be considered for assignments, please fill out the Application below:
Personal Information:

FULL NAME: (As Should Appear on Payment ) STREET ADDRESS:(Not PO BOX)
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP/POSTAL CODE:
PHONE NUMBER CELL AND HOME:
EMAIL:
AGE:
SEX:
OCCUPATION:
YOUR PREFERRED MODE OF COMMUNICATION EITHER BY PHONE OR BY EMAIL:

Your response would be greatly appreciated, Thank you.

Sincerely,
MS - Network 2015

Anti-fraud resources: