419 scam: "FedEx"<fedex@fedex.com> FedEx Courier Service Company

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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "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. )
- "stamp duty charges" (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. )
- "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.
- +2348169688873
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- gregmartins002@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "FedEx" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gregmartins002@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:40:21 -0500
Subject: FedEx Courier Service Company

FROM THE FEDEX COURIER SERVICE COMPANY.
Victoria Island,Lagos Nigeria.
Direct Line: +2348169688873
Plot 8,Ahmed Way,Victoria Island,Lagos-Nigeria.

Dear Valued Beneficiary,

This Email is from FedEx head courier service company regarding your parcel that was supposed to be delivered to you,along the delivery process there was a problem between us and the Nicon Insurance Company in regard of some certificate which covers the security of your package and it happens to be the cause that your package was held from being delivered to you. Meanwhile, we are happy to inform you that our management has sorted it out and the Issue has been finalized with the company, so the management which is the company organization has released 4 (four) valuable packages to be delivered to their owners. Therefore be informed that your package which contain a cash equivalent of $3.9 million dollars is among the listed packages to be deliver.
You are to re-confirm to us the below information for direct delivery.

1,Your Full Name:
2,Your Delivery Address:
3,Your Cell Phone Number:
5,Your Country:

Meanwhile considering that the senders of this parcel,still owes this company the sum of $50 dollars before the problem occurred,furthermore I want you to understand that this company has spent out their income in the process of recovering back your package,we once again appreciate your patient in our favor, But as the rightful beneficiary of the parcel,you are to settle for the cost of delivering of your package and for the immigration and custom stamp duty charges which is the sum of $75 dollars only,left to our payment section via Western Union Money Transfer or Money Gram so that your parcel can be delivered to your residential address.

We want you to know that your package will be delivered to your doorstep within 2 official working days after the day of payment confirmation and the shipment will get to your door step the next day as soon as the payment of $75 (Seventy United States dollar) is received, Consequently be informed that once your payment is been received as required by the management your tracking Number will be sent to you via e-mail to enable you track your package online to know the arrival date to your resident because we operate in trust and loyalty in your favor.Moreover our management is hereby to inform all their customers to be careful with their email communication to avoid been a scam victim.

HERE IS OUR WESTERN UNION/MONEY GRAM PAYMENT INFORMATION
=============================================================
1] SENDER'S NAME..................?
2] RECEIVERS NAME------Mr Emmanuel Achibom
3] RECEIVERS COUNTRY---- Lagos / Nigeria
4] TEXT QUESTION------------Best Colour
5] TEXT ANSWER-------------- White
6] AMOUNT TO BE PAID---------$75
7] PLEASE SEND THE MONEY TRANSFER CONTROL NUMBER (MTCN)-------------?

Once the payment is been made as required quickly forward the below information to us via Email: gregmartins002@aol.com

FedEx is one of the world's great success stories, the start-up that revolutionized the delivery of packages and information. In the past 30 years,we've grown up and grown into a diverse family of companies -a FedEx that's bigger, stronger, better than ever.FedEx provides access to a growing global market place through a network of supply chain,transportation,business and related information services.

Waiting to hear from you.

YOURS AFFECTIONATELY,
Mr.Greg Martins
FEDEX COURIER MANAGING DIRECTOR..
Victoria Island,Lagos Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam