419 scam: "Dr. Sam Biko"<gbdessy@sbcglobals.net> Contact 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "insurance fee " (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. )
- "security keeping fee" (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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Sam Biko" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <office@fedexcourrierexpress.tk>
Date: Sat, 17 Jul 2010 10:51:31 +0300
Subject: Contact Fedex

Dear Friend,

I have been waiting for you to come down here to pick up your Bank Draft worth $900000 (Nine Hunderd Thousand Us Dollars) since, but I did not hear from you, then I went and deposited the Draft with a FedEx Nigeria PLC, under the care of FedEx because I am traveling to London for a business investment return next month ending.

You are to contact FedEx Nigeria immediately to know when they will deliver your package.
The delivery charges and insurance fee has been paid. The only money you have to send to them is there security keeping fee of $120 to receive your package. Do not be deceived by any body, below is their contact information Customer Service Manager, Mr. Prince Duke Address EMAIL: <office@fedexcourrierexpress.tk>

Contact them as soon as possible to avoid increasing the security keeping fee. Finally, you have to re-confirm this information, namely; your complete names,phone Number and residence address to them again to avoid any mistake in the delivery.

Let me know as soon as you receive your Bank Draft.

Regards.

Dr. Sam Biko

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam