French-Property.com Help - Scammers using property advert Contact forms as a vehicle for their scams

It has been brought to our attention that 419 Internet scammers (originally originating from West Africa, but now often from all over the world) have on a number of occasions sent messages to advertisers via our contact system.

We endeavour to ensure that you are not targeted by scammers and spammers, via our system. One such measure introduced is that we no longer show your email address on your advert. This is to protect your email address being picked up by malicious address harvesters that automatically send spam / scam emails to you.

Unfortunately, with this latest variation, there seems at this time, little we can do to stop it. This is because the scammers are correctly sending their emails via our contact system, one email at a time. However, this means that as long as all advertisers remain vigilant to such enquiries, there should not be a problem. Please do not reply to any emails which you believe could be a scam. It takes a lot of their time to send these emails one by one, and if their efforts are fruitless then they will go elsewhere.

Please note that this scam is not by any means prevalent throughout our system, but has been reported on one or two occasions recently. It is not something to worry about; the scammers have not taken control of your computer, or compromised your accounts on our system etc. They are just a nuisance who should be ignored.

Examples of the scam emails sent are as follows:

1.

Name: Larry Peters

Email: lapete07@yahoo.com

Tel: 234-805-632-9098

Source of lead: not filled in

Message:

I am personal secretary to the Nigerian Minister of Finance. The minister is interested to buy your property. If still available, don't hesitate to contact me for further detailed transdaction

---

2.

Name: Larry Peters

Email: lapete07@yahoo.com

Tel: 234-805-632-9098

Source of lead: not filled in

Message:

I am interested to buy your property. Could you please get back to me for details of the transaction.

---

3.

Name: Adrein Jones

Email: adjonescom@yahoo.co.in

Tel: 232-480-37418747

Source of lead: not filled in

Message:

Adjones International Ltd.

42 Mobil road,

Freetown,

Sierra leone.

Dear Sir,

Please read carefully,it is my distinct and sincere pleasure to contact you.I have a promising proposal, which I know might interest you. My name is Mr.Adrien Jones a staff of Adjones International Ltd.

I am interested in engaging your services as manager of a large volume of funds for investment purpose.I have gone through your listings and i am pleased.However for us to make direct investments in your company,i shall be giving you details of this transaction upon your response via my email.

If this proposal is acceptable to you, please write to me, so that we can work out remuneration for your participation in the transaction, and also let you know how we can achieve this objective.

I request that you make the earliest mail Possible for Further details in respect of this transaction. You can Contact me Via; adjonescom@yahoo.co.in

Best regards,

Mr.Adrien Jones

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Often the names of the enquirers are anglicised and at first seem like genuine enquiries from UK / US email addresses, like yahoo.com. Upon second look, there are a couple of points which raise suspicion (besides the brevity of the messages).

The first email is easy to spot it is a scam with the declaration of working for the Nigerian Minister of Finance. Unless you have had prior dealings with such African countries, then emails from people from such countries are usually indicative of a scam. Ignore them

If you receive similar emails to above, then please do not reply to them. If you have replied already, do not worry; just do not reply to future correspondence.

The second email is more difficult to see it is a scam, as there is no country declaration. The key here is the telephone number given. It starts with 234 which is the international dialling code for Nigeria.

The third email is clearly a scam. Any mail you receive along these lines should be immediately deleted and ignored.

The key to ensuring that you are not a victim of these scams is to ensure that you do not reply to any suspicious looking emails.

Advice from the 419 Coalition is:

"NEVER pay anything up front for ANY reason.

NEVER extend credit for ANY reason.

NEVER do ANYTHING until their check clears.

NEVER expect ANY help from the Nigerian Government.

NEVER rely on YOUR Government to bail you out."

More info about the scam can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_fee_fraud

If you receive any suspicious emails or have any questions, please forward them to us at support@french-property.com