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    Musicmaddness's Avatar
    Musicmaddness Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jul 9, 2012, 10:41 AM
    Fees for box to be sent from Nigeria
    I have been asked to receive a box from an engineer friend who is sailing back from australia. The box was sent from the cargo ship he is on via May Securities in Nigeria but has been stopped at the airport because of custom fees to be paid by Western Union. Is this a scam ?
    NeedKarma's Avatar
    NeedKarma Posts: 10,635, Reputation: 1706
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    #2

    Jul 9, 2012, 10:58 AM
    Is this a friend of yours or someone you met online?

    Basically you should not have to pay fees to do a favour for someone. Any fees would be paid entirely by your friend.
    smearcase's Avatar
    smearcase Posts: 2,392, Reputation: 316
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    #3

    Jul 9, 2012, 12:11 PM
    Sounds similar to emails some folks reported receiving and the email appeared to be from a friend who was stuck in London and had run out of funds and needed money wired for airline tickets etc. My cousin got one, called her friend and the friend was home in the US. You need to talk to your friend directly in some amnner.
    AtlantaTaxExpert's Avatar
    AtlantaTaxExpert Posts: 21,836, Reputation: 846
    Senior Tax Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jul 9, 2012, 12:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Musicmaddness View Post
    I have been asked to receive a box from an engineer friend who is sailing back from australia. The box was sent from the cargo ship he is on via May Securities in Nigeria but has been stopped at the airport because of custom fees to be paid by Western Union. is this a scam ?
    If you do not KNOW this engineer, then, yes, it IS a scam.
    smearcase's Avatar
    smearcase Posts: 2,392, Reputation: 316
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    #5

    Jul 9, 2012, 12:54 PM
    My cousin knew the relative who was supposedly requesting emergency funds. Bu the friend wasn't requesting funds from her. You need to communicate direcly with your friend.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #6

    Jul 9, 2012, 12:56 PM
    It is certainly possible for something shipped to require customs fees. But why would it go through Nigeria. And, as others said, unless you know this person well, don't give up any money.
    Curlyben's Avatar
    Curlyben Posts: 18,514, Reputation: 1860
    BossMan
    		  
    #7

    Jul 9, 2012, 01:15 PM
    SERIOUS Alarm bells should start ringing when the terms MONEY and WESTERN UNION are mentioned in the same sentence, especially for an official matter such as customs fees.

    Customs fees are NEVER payable via this method as they are untrackable.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #8

    Jul 9, 2012, 05:13 PM
    No there will not be fees paid at customs, or if there is, you will not be getting connected by email.

    Often people get their email list stolen or Facebook contacts and they get scam emails.

    This is a scam for sure
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