Free Hyacinth Parrots Scam

Last Updated on September 30, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

I’ve been quite busy lately but I always have time to follow a great scam. I am publishing this as a warning to any of you who think that this is for real. If it looks too good to be true it is!I responded to a Twitter “tweet” offering to Hyacinth parrots for adoption at absolutely no cost.

I’m going to publish the e-mails sequentially so you can see how this scam plays out. By the third day they were already calling and asking for money. I’ve included images and document they sent to me.

FYI – Even in a down market, which we’re in, it’s hard to find a single Hyacinth Parrot for less than $10,000 USD

I spoke to someone allegedly calling from some African Airline. I finally got bored and got busy with other things I stopped answering the calls but they left more than 12 voice mails.

It is illegal to import parrots into the United States. They never answered my question as to how they were doing this legally – that’s because it can’t be done. The following is some of the biggest bull#*$t you’ll every read.

Lots of pictures, they even sent me pictures of the airplane!

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 4:46 PM

I’d like to adopt the 2 Hyacinth’s – how would I go about doing this?

Thanx

Mitch

Hi Mitch,
Thanks for emailing me in regards to my lovely male and femail Hyacinth Macaw Parrot.they are hand raised, well-socialized and tame birds very fun loving , blood DNA testing,has their register microchip implant, accurate veterinarian records ,they are so funny ,likes to talk and dance,they loves being outside. Also they are very playful and have a very extended vocabulary,they are looking for a good home because I really don’t have the time to teach them that much. They would be a very great candidate,if you want, you can clicker train them to do tricks since they are so eager to learn.they are health guarantee for one year..I spoil and give them the most excellent attention ever.They will also come with pets’ accessories like toys, food stuffs and cages.They would make wonderful companions in your home.I am an American, a company survey experts by profession. We work in a survey company in the USA and i happened to be one of the experts that where nominated to survey a food processing company in Cameroon by name BUBARY AGRICULTURAL GLOBAL SUPPLYING COMPANY ( BASC GLOBAL CO, LTD ) so with the love i have for these pets, i have to take them along as i have no body to look after them while i am gone.. when i got to Cameroon , i found out that my hours for work where too much and i didn’t had enough time for the babies so i have to give them out and only to any interested person or family. I am also willing to ship to any location since i work with this shipping lines..all i want is for the pets to be out of here and save too IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED AND KNOW YOU WILL PROVIDE THE LOVE AND CARE THESE PETS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAVING IN THEIR LIVES THEN GET BACK TO ME WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.
YOUR FULL NAMES
COUNTRY
STATE
DELIVERY ADDRESS ( DOOR )
PHONE NUMBER
NEAREST AIRPORT TO YOUR LOCATION
NUMBER OF MILES YOU LEAVE AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT
WHEN I HAVE ALL THESE, I WILL TAKE THE PETS/PET TO THE AIRPORT AND SHIP THE PETS/PET TO YOU AT ONCE.
GET BACK TO ME ASAP

Note: I provided a false address but real cell phone number

Hi Mark – sorry for the delay car was broken into and had to attend to that

Mitch & Nancy XXX
1960 XXXX Ave

Chicago, IL 60622
773-XXX-XXXX
Midway Airport
about 7 miles

Talk Soon

Mitch

Hi Mitch,
How are you today?hope all is well and the good God has been doing the wonderful things to your family,please do exstend my greetings.Also i’m so very sorry for the late reply,is that i was having a meeting with my boss and got back home late,well thanks for the information’s, I’m so very happy to know that you will be taking great care of these lovely birds named Lisa and Teddy,and God will forever bless you and your family.From the way you are sounding i know these birds are really blessed to have a family like yours, i want us to get thinks done as soon as we can cos by next tomorrow i will be very busy at work.I just called the Shipping lines to do some inquiries in regards of the shipping and i was told that,to ship the birds to your location will cost $870 and i will be paying for that. I was also told that since the birds are to be ship to the name of another person, all the documents regarding the birds will need to be charge to the name of the person so that delivery will be successfully and that will cost you $320 for the paperwork s. If that is ok with you, let me know so that i can take the birds right now to the airport, pay for their shipping fee and have the airport contact you directly for the payment of the change of ownership.Attached to this email are some of their pics their names are Lisa for the female she is 8years old and Teddy for the male he is 9years old.and they are familiar with children too. Also the female bird Lisa is Due and will soon be laying eggs,i will be shipping them for a door delivery..like i also said they will be coming alongside with their cages of size 40” wide x 30” deep with a total height of 74”1” bar spacing,food ,playing toys,with Lisa’s nesting box and a manual on taking care of them,you can also reach me through
this number. +237-9796-1556/ 011237-9796-1556. That is the number to
the company where i work , When you call, ask of Mr Mark Robenson.
Thanks and Blessing to your family ..
Mark and Jernifer..

Hi Mitch,

How was your church service today??hope it was fantastic as mine,well i was hopping to read back from you in regards to the shipping of the birds to no avail,please do get back to me and let me know what to do ok,i did told my Pastor about you wanting to adopt Teddy and Lisa,so we both did pray for you and your family.

Please i will be waiting ok,God bless you.

Mark.Mon, 10/19/09, [email protected]<[email protected]> wrote:
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE: Hyacinths(get back to me asap)
To: “‘Mark Robenson'” <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 5:09 PM

Where do I send the $320?

Thanks for maling me back.Well, you are not paying the money to me but at the airport ok,so i will be taking the birds to the airport now to register them under you address for shipping, then the airport will then call or email you on the shipping notification and directions how to pay for the ownership documents before they proceed with shipping ok,i will also pass at the Cameroon Ministry of Plant and Wildlife to obtain the adoption Agreements with the Cites permit and the Vaccination Certifate of Teddy and Lisa ok,i will attached it to you too.
So please do await a call or mail from the airport inregards to the payment.I want the birds to take off with the last flight to your location today,so that they will be deliver at your door step tomorrow noon by a carrier from the airport.
Thanks and will let you know when am back from the airport.
God bless you.
Mark.

Dear Mitch,
I just got back from the airport, they have register Teddy and Lisa on board the flight for shipping and they have prepared them well for the travel. A copy of the message send to you by the airport was also send to me for confirmation.the birds will be deliver at your door step tomorrow morning by 11:30 AM.You just have to validate the change of ownership documents at the airport so that everything meet up with time,i have aready done my part and they are now waiting on you.Attached to this mail are the documents i obtian from the Camroon Ministry Of Plant and Wildlife to your names,that is the Cites Permit ,the Adoption Agreement (Sales Agreement) and the birds Certificate of Vaccination.Hope to read from you anytime and please, don’t forget your promise of taking very good care of the birds especaily the female bird Lisa that will soon start laying her eggs. please do get back to the airport as soon as you are done with the payment of the ownership documents so that Teddy and Lisa may take off ok.Also i have send them with a video of Teddy and Lisa,in the video you will see my wife and i playing with the birds.
thanks once again and may God bless you and the family,you can call me anytime if there is anything you need to know ok,all the documents of the birds are included with them at the airport for shipping.
I will be waiting to talk or read from you telling me the birds are with you and to see a picture of your family together with the birds ok
God be with you and i will continue to pray for your prosperity.
Mark and Jernifer.

Dear Mitch,
Did you receive a mail from the airport?i have just call them and they told me that they have tried to call you but no one will answer the phone,so please you have to get back to them so that the birds can take off,they also said bellow their mail that the flight details will be giving to you after the birds most have take off,so you just have to copy the address as they provided in the mail and get the money over to them,so the they can validate the documents and proceed with shipping ok,
The mail send to you by the airport was also forward to me fore conformation, i have re-forward the mail to you again,please get things done asap so that the birds can take off,i don’t want them to stay longer at the airport or miss their flight.
Thanks and will waiting to read back from you as soon as the birds arrive.
Bless you.
— On Mon, 10/19/09, Amadeus International Airlines <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Amadeus International Airlines <[email protected]>
Subject: SHIPPING NOTIFICATION. ( BIRDS ) PAYMENT FOR PAPERWORKS REQUIRED. GET BACK TO US SOON AS YOU CAN
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 8:08 PM

THIS IS A REGISTERED EMAIL FROM THE CAMEROON INTERNATIONAL AIRWAY SO IF YOU ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT KINDLY FORWARD THIS EMAIL BACK TO US.

This is a Registered E-mail^® message from Amadeus Cameroon Airlines.

WELCOME TO AMADEUS CAMEROON AIRLINES
PETS DEPARTMENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE

AMADEUS SHIPPING LIMES (CAMEROON)
P.O.BOX 238
+237-7542-6846 +237-7542-6846 / 110237-7741-1897
00237 3304-595540
+237 3304-5955400
Fax : (237) 333-65-355
LIMBE SOUTH WEST PROVINCE
CAMEROON

MITCH AND NANCY ROSS,
Accept greetings from the entire staff of the Amadeus Douala International Airport. We are the leading pet relocation specialist and as such are devoted to the safety and welfare of all animals. Our caring staff are always on hand to help and advise in the movement of your families, best friend(s). We cater for the delivery of virtually all pets and any species of animal, reptile or insect, with a service second to none. If you would like to take your Cat, Dog or any other type of pet abroad let us remove the stress of trying to sort out the minefield of paperwork for you. Our Pet export department has in excess of 25 years experience in the industry, from Dogs, Cats, Rabbits to the smallest spider and up to the biggest Rhinoceros we can help. Our transit kennels are built specifically to the pet or animal.

Thank you for your interest in Amadeus Douala Shipping Agents – We look forward to helping you and your pets any where it needs to be transported.

We have just received Two Hyacinth Macaw Parrots named(Teddy and Lisa)from Mr Mark robenson here at the Amadeus Douala International Airport (Pet Transport Department). These parrots are being shipped to the following address;

Country	U.S.A ILLINOIS
Names	MITCH AND NANCY ROSS
Address	NUMBER:1960 XXXXXXXCHICAGO,IL 60622
Phone#	1-773-XXX-XXX
Arriving Airport	MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

These parrots came with all necessary papers needed, But according to our rules and regulations, a veterinarians must conduct another tests to be sure of their health condition, It was done and all was fine and MEDICATION PAPERS were all accurate, The test has been conducted and the parrots are free from any pet related diseases that may attack other animals like Dogs & Birds. So these parrots are now ready for shipment and delivery.

YOU ARE REQUIRE TO PAY A FEE OF 320 USD FOR THE CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP DOCUMENT BEFORE WE PROCEED WITH SHIPPING. ALL THE DOCUMENT REGARDING THE PETS ARE STILL UNDER THE NAMES OF YOUR SENDER ( MARK ROBENSON ) AND HE STILL HAVE LEGAL RIGHTS OVER THE PETS, SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE DOCUMENT CHANGED TO YOUR NAMES BEFORE SHIPPING. WITHOUT THIS, THE PETS CANNOT BE DELIVERED TO YOU WHEN THEY ARRIVE. YOU WILL HAVE TO DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE FLIGHT WILL SOON TAKE OFF. IF YOU HAVE AN IMPORTER LICENSE, YOU SHOULD GET BACK TO US FOR OUR PAYMENT ADDRESS BUT IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO SEND THE MONEY TO US VIA WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM AND YOU WILL HAVE TO DO SO THROUGH THIS ADDRESS.AS SOON AS YOU ARE DONE WITH EVERYTHING ,WE WILL THEN FAX THEM TO YOU INCLUDING THE FIGHT DETAILS.

WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT MONEYGRAM AND WESTERN UNION.WE ONLY ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT FOR SUMS MORE THAN 3.000.00 USD.

BELOW ARE THE DETAILS OF OUR MONEYGRAM AND WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

NAMES	ATEMBA FRANKLIN
COUNTRY	CAMEROON
STATE	LITTORAL PROVINCE
CITY	LIMBE
ADDRESS	5 long way road Akwa, Limbe
ZIP CODE	00237

NB: When you are paying this fee, you will need a test question. Make it to be;

TEST QUESTION…………..FOR WHAT?
ANSWER………………………….. DOCUMENTS

AFTER THE PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE DETAILS OF THE TRANSFER ARE NEEDED TO PROVE PAYMENT .

Senders and receivers names :
Reference numbers / MTCN of money transaction:
Test question and answer :
Amount sent :THIS PAYMENT OF THE TOTAL FUND IS TO BE PAID THROUGH MONEY GRAM OR
WESTERN UNION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE PARROTS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FLIGHT THAT COMES UP IN A COUPLE OF HOURS FROM NOW. YOU WILL BE USING THE INFORMATION OF OUR FINANCIAL SECRETARY HERE AT THE AIRPROT . THE ADDRESS TO MAKE THE PAYMENT THROUGH MONEY GRAM OR WESTERN UNION IS ABOVE

This payment should be made as soon as possible, So that these parrots should be shipped early enough to you.

If this fee is not provided, these parrots will not be dispatched from the detention of the company and will spend more for the daily feeding and accommodation until the Director confirms the payment of the $320.00. Kindly E-mail or call us immediately as the payment is made with full money Transfer details.
AS SOON AS THE PAYMENTS IS CONFIRMED, THE TRACKING NUMBER AND FLIGHT DETAILS OF YOUR PARROTS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU WHEN PAYMENT IS DONE AS WELL AS A FLIGHT RECEIPT SO THAT IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS YOU ARE 100% SURE OF GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK..
THANK AND STAY TO ENJOY THE SERVICE OF AMADEUS DOUALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
DOUALA BRANCH CAMEROON

SECRETARY
Mrs. WILLIM JUDGMAN

THE MANAGER
CARGO DEPARTMENT,
AMADEUS DOUALA PET SERVICE,
(00237) 330-722363
(00237)7730-7792 (00237)7730-7792
CAMEROON.
EMAIL : [email protected]

[email protected]

— On Mon, 10/19/09, [email protected]<[email protected]> wrote:
From: Mark Robenson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 3:45 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: RE: Hyacinths(get back to me asap)

— On Mon, 10/19/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote:

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE: Hyacinths(get back to me asap)
To: “‘Mark Robenson'” <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 5:09 PM

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE: Hyacinths(get back to me asap)
To: “‘Mark Robenson'” <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 8:55 PM
Mark

what is the flight number – I’d like to watch for them – also where do I validate the change of ownership documents & pay the bill?

Mitch

You have to validate the ownership documents before the birds can be put on the flight,after that all flight details will be emailed to you by the airport so that you can watch over them.So just go through the shipping notification the airport send to you,you will see directions how to get the money over to them,so that your birds can be put on the last flight,and they also told me that the flight will soon be taking off.so you have to be fast ok.
Mark

— On Mon, 10/19/09, [email protected]<[email protected]> wrote:
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE: Hyacinths(get back to me asap)
To: “‘Mark Robenson'” <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 11:47 PM

Mark-

I just checked with US customs – it’s illegal to import bird into the US – how do we overcome this?
Hi Mitch ,
Good morning,how is your family doing? i hope you both are perparing for the arrival of Teddy and Lisa,i just called the airport to ask after the birds ,and to appologize for the delay,since they did not take off yesterday,so i have arrange for the second flight so that they can take off today.Also Mitch,i want you to understand that these birds are from the USA,remember i did relocate with them when i was traveling to Cameroon,and they have been here just for two weeks till now that i want them back to US.
Please you need not to border much about any customs issue,cos all that have been taking care already,you know ,i work with the BASC GLOBAL SUPPLING COMPANY LTD,and have all the rights and legal documents to import and export where ever i want into USA.So you don’t have to worry about them being held for any reason,cos the will be traveling along with all their documents,all that has already been deposite with the birds at the airport,so all you needed to do was just to validate the ownership documents before the procced with shipping,that is to make you the rightful owner of the birds so that, when they arrive at your airport ,it will be easy for the carrier to deliver them at your door step.
So please all you have to do now is just to get the money over to the airport so that they birds can take off today with the second flight to your location,the flight details will be given to you after they most have left ok,also i did tried calling your phone number but is not going through,so please you have to give me a valid number so that i can get it over to the airport cos they will have to call and notify you on the arrival of the birds at your door step.
Please i will be waiting to hear from you as soon as you are through at the airport.Also as i told you that the female birds will soon start laying her eggs,it will be good if we get them over to you so that you can take care of her before anything.
Thanks and hope you understand.
God bless you and you wife,do extend my greetings to her.
Mark.