419 scam: FedEx Office <consultfedex@live.com> FedEx

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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:

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:
- "demurrage " (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. )
- "western union" (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 gram" (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. )
- "payment for the courier" (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. )
- "fiduciary agent" (real lotteries do not use a "claim agent" / "fiduciary agent")
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348191446511 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: FedEx Office <consultfedex@live.com>
Reply-To: consultfedex1@live.com
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 14:50:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FedEx

FedEx

Head Office Plot 8,Ahmed Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.
Tel: +2348191446511

Attention, Attention,, Attention.
We wish to inform you that we have undeliverable, a parcel in your name. The parcel was returned undelivered due to incorrect address to our office in Nigeria. FedEx courier Service Company is hereby passing an essential message to all our valuable customers to be very careful while presenting their receivers residential address to avoid wrong delivery.

This is to notify you that your parcel is still in our possession, this parcel contains an International Cashier Bank Draft/Cheque, worth sum of $2 Million dollars only, and it is ready for delivery to your door step. Meanwhile, before thedelivery or shipment will take place, you are advised to send to us the following data:

1.Correct mailing address

2.Cell Telephone #....

The above requested information will enable us deliver your parcel correctly without any mistake or delivery of your parcel to a wrong person.

Meanwhile, remember that the sender of this parcel to you, the fiduciary agent, still owes this company the sum of $180 before occurrence of this incidence. FedEx has spent out of their incomes in the process, by recovery back of your parcel. So, dear customer we once again appreciate your patronage in our favor. You are to pay the balance left by your sender since we have lost

his contact. This is to enable delivery of your parcel to your residential address before it accumulate a demurrage after one week only, as you know your parcel is not just an ordinary parcel but with a huge amount and I think you understand what I mean by accumulating a demurrage? Which you will not allow to happen to your recovered parcel.

NOTE: You are required to make payment for the courier of your parcel by either western union money transfer or money gram, using the information below:

Receiver Name: Peter Chukwuma
Receiver Location: Lagos-Nigeria
Text Question: Purpose
Text Answer: Parcel

After payment has been made you should email us the control number, so the payment can be confirmed and you parcel couriered to you immediately.

We assure you that your parcel will arrive at your country in two days time and it will get to your door step the third day as soon as FedEx receives the balance left by your sender, the tracking number of your parcel will be sent to you via e-mail immediately, to enable you track it yourself to see your parcel coming on the way and you will also know when it will arrive at your country because we operate in trust and loyalty in your favor.

Yours faithfully
Mr.Steve Taiwo.
FEDEX COURIER MANAGING DIRECTOR
Tel: +2348191446511

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam