419 scam: "DR.STEVE VOLTA."<johngomez@globomail.com> Your Attention Is Needed From Western Union Office

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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.

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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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "infor.westernunionde@globomail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22998157626 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.STEVE VOLTA." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <infor.westernunionde@globomail.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:34:45 -0800
Subject: Your Attention Is Needed From Western Union Office

Attention Our Dear Customer,

I'm An Assistant Manager Western Union Branch Cotonou (Bank of Africa Benin SA) Benin Republic, My Name Is DR.Steve Volta, I am responding back to you this morning to inform you that Our General manager just passed away 5days ago (((Died))).

And all the files/documents was handed over to me yesterday, Luckily i went through all the files and found out that you have incomplete transfer in our custody,that's why I am writing to inform you that i have some funds at hand to assist you to complete your transaction here in our custody,but it's not yet complete and secondly you have to assure me that after i help you on this matter, and as soon as you receive your first installation payment that you will return my supported money back to me?.

The reason why I want to help you out is because if this fund last for more three months in our custody it will transfer to Government account.
Therefore re-confirm your current address to our office.

1,Receiver's Name...........
2,current Telephone Number..
3,Country and City..........

Therefore, I need your urgent respond today so that we shall finalize the transfer of your $7000.000. Thanks and God bless as am looking forward to hear from you as the funds beneficiary, remember that you will only receive one payment a day until your total sum of $950.000.00 (Nine Hundred And Fifty Thousand United State Dollars ) is transferred to you completely

Here is content email (infor.westernunionde@globomail.com)

THANKS FOR OUR PATRONAGE,

YOURS SINCERELY
DR.STEVE VOLTA.
TELEPHONE: +22998157626/ 0022998157626
ASSISTANT MANAGER WESTERN UNION.
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam