419 scam: "Midnite Courier Service" <oscar@hatzerim.org.il> Thanks for using our service

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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:
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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 transfer control number" (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. )
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Midnite Courier Service" <oscar@hatzerim.org.il>
Reply-To: mid.courier@blumail.org
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:37:43 +0300 (IDT)
Subject: Thanks for using our service

MIDNITE COURIER SERVICE INT'L
300 N. OAK STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90302
Phone: 617-340-2674

Dear Customer,

You are lucky to be a winner ($250,000.00usd) in our quater year
promotional draw,We will be sending you a check of $250,000.00usd through
our courier service at your door step with our dispatch team under our
supervision will deliver your parcel to you, once you comply with our
directives and settle the shipping authorization and confirmation fee
which amount the sum of $250usd.

Note that the Shipping authorization and confirmation fee will be paid to
our office in Alabama, USA through western union money transfer and once
we confirm the payment, your parcel will be dispatch to your doorstep
ASAP.

Payment requirement for pick-up of Money Transfer Control Numbers is (MTCN).

We Want You To Forward Us Your Full Contact Information's :

First Name:-----------------------
Last Name:-----------------------
Contact Address:-----------------
Mobile Number:-------------------
Tel Number:----------------------
Fax Number:---------------------
Age:-----------------------------
Occupation:----------------------

Below is the receiving officer's information;

Receiving Officer's Identity

Name: Edgar Walker
Country: South birmingham Alabama USA.
Mtcn Number:
Your Direct Phone Number:

Payment should be made via Western Union Money Transfer outlet in your
located destination.And we wait to receive your payment details so we can
dispach your parcel to your doorstep.

Email: mid.courier@blumail.org

Phone:1617-340-2674

We await your mail.
Regards,

Yours Faithfully,
BENIK MCKAIL-SMITH
MIDNITE COURIER SERVICE INT'L
300 N. OAK STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90302
All rights reserved. Â© 1995-2008 MNX.

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PineApp Mail-SeCure for the presence of malicious code, vandals & computer viruses.
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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam