419 scam: Western Union <lindawilliams61111@9.cn> FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

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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:
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +22998091364 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- westernunionofficebenin20009@yahoo.ie (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <lindawilliams61111@9.cn>
Reply-To: westernunionofficebenin20009@yahoo.ie
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:54:39 +0530 (IST)
Subject: FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

WELLCOME FROM MINISTRY OF FINANCE,Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DEPERTMENT PAYMENTS OLD
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â INHERITANCE FUNDS
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WORLDWIDE ORDER AND INSTRUCTION FROMÂ FEDERAL GOVERNMENTÂ Â REPUBLIC OF BENINÂ
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â WESTERN UNIONMONEY TRANSFER
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CALL THIS NUMBERÂ +229-9809-1364 Â Â Â Email;(westernunionofficebenin20009@yahoo.ie)
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â REF NO: 250-153
Â Â Â
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Attention: My Dear,

This is to notify all our clients about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody. which yours are inclusive Besides, your where given a bill in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for some time now and remember that your total said amount is $1.500.000.00
Hence, our Western Union is now offering a SpecialÂ bonus to help all our customers that are having their paymentÂ in our custody due to because of price.
Â
Â in order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only sum of $59. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and you have to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your destination address. As a matter of fact, your first payment of $6500.00 daily is ready for you to pick up at western union now.

You will see it available for pick up but you can not pick up because we were instructed to put it on-hold until you send renew and reconfirm your payment file with the federal ministry of finance here.

But remember that after (TWO DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to government fund to avoid problem .Again after (TWO DAYS ) We will enter A new project that is the reason we decide to help to all our customers before we enter the new project So be advise to send the $59 .00 immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to receive $6500.00 as from today.

Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will callÂ +229-9809-1364 After the payment of $59.00 you will start receiving your money every blessing day $6500.00 through western union
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:

1.Receiver Name:======= Mr Ude JosephCountry:========== BENIN REPUBLIC.
City/Â ==========COTONOU,Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
3.Question=============HONEST
4.Answer:=============TRUST.
5.Amount:=============U$59. 00
Forward the payment control number, sender name and address after sending $59 to enable US pick up the money in this Department office here.
Â
Waiting to receive our charges so that we can release your payment on hold for you to receive your first payment immediately today.

I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
DEAR John Obi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam