419 scam: "Mr. Kelvin Smith"<fedexcustomercare2@gmail.com> Important Notice: Your FedEx shipment # XX/23B/D2783

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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. )
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Kelvin Smith" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedexcustomercare2@post.ro>
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 18:53:18 +0100
Subject: Important Notice: Your FedEx shipment # XX/23B/D2783

Plot 8, Ahmed Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.
Customers Service Hours--Monday to Saturday: Office Hours Monday to Saturday:

Welcome to the FedEx World
****************************************
Attention to the owner of this email,

This is to notify you that your Bank Draft was brought to this office for shipment to your home address by United nationas officer for your compensation sum.you are therfore to respond to this office with the delivery fee for the shipment of your Check WITH THE SUM OF $85USD.

We further inform you that we have no legal right to deduct or add to the value of your funds, so any request for deduction of any fee and charges from the total fund can never be granted because of the attitude of the unscrupulous elements who has created a very bad reputation for the society, thus the compliance with this condition your Bank Draft will reach you after we have once you have made this payment.You will need to look out for possibility to send the sum of $85USD. To enable you receive the Bank Draft in due time. You need to make this payment by Western Union Money Transfer to be sent and receive same day with the details below.

PAYMENT DETAILS:
Receiver?s Name:OSSAI MICHAEL
Receiver?s Address:LAGOS/NIGERIA
MTCN:
Text Question: ACT
Text Answer: CODE
Amount:$85USD
Sender?s Name:
Sender? Address?

Hope we have served you better, be officially guided and informed as we will not intimate any delay from whom it may concern. We are at your services online 24/7 for any help, and you are free to contact me any time for any issue related to your account and fund.

please reconfirm your date to avoid shipping error to the wrong person
1. Your Full Name:
2.Home Address:
3.Direct Telephone:

WAITING TO READ YOUR E-MAIL. YOURS AFFECTIONATELY.

Mr. Kelvin Smith
FedEx COURIER MANAGING DIRECTOR.
Thanks for your expected Co-operation.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam