419 scam: "FedEx International"<fedexheadoffice@yahoo.com> Attention Dear

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate 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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- fedexexpress2010@aol.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "FedEx International" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fedexexpress2010@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:34:53 -0700
Subject: Attention Dear

Attention Dear

I have been waiting for you to contact me on your international certified bank draft of $800,000.00, cashable anywhere in the world,but I did not hear from you since then.

I went and I left your Bank Draft with FedEx International - Express Delivery, Courier, West Africa. At the moment, I'm very busy, I travelled out of the country for 3 Months Course and won't be back till end of November. You are to get in contact with with FedEx International, West Africa quickly for the collection of your international certified bank draft and details when they will deliver your package because of the expiring date.

For your information, I paid for the delivering Charge, Insurance premium and Clearance Certificate Fee of the bank draft showing that, it is not Drug Money or meant to sponsor Terrorist attack in your Country except the security keeping fee which will be paid by you.

The only money you will send to the FedEx International, West Africa to eliver your Bank Draft direct to your delivery Address is ($240 USD) only,been Security Keeping Fee of the Company so far. I have to let you pay this personally because i don't know when you will contact them and in case of demur-rage.

Contact the FedEx International, West Africa now for the delivery with this information bellow:

FedEx Contact Person: Mr. Williams James
Email : fedexexpress2010@aol.com
Finally, make sure that you reconfirm:

1. Full Name & Address:
3. Occupation:
4. Age:
5. Sex:
6. Telephone Number:
7. Nationality:
8. Place of Residence:

After your payment of $240 To avoid any mistake on your Delivery, Request the shipment details. Which includes your tracking number to enable you track your package. clearly again, contact them NOW to avoid delays and remember Your Payment of $240 for their immediate action on the Secure Keeping of your international certified bank draft. Give keep me posted through email once Bank Draft is cleared and remember the less privileged.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Rose Wils
Former Director Presidential Library & Museum
International On-line Lottery Co-ordinator.(c) 2010

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam