419 scam: "Ministry of Finance" <infor-office@one.co.il> WesterUnion@

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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)
- "hundred thousand united state dollars" (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)
- "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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "w-u-m-t-ofice@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "w-u-m-t-ofice@live.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.
- +22996226410 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ministry of Finance" <infor-office@one.co.il>
Reply-To: w-u-m-t-ofice@live.com
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:00:32 +0300
Subject: WesterUnion@

Hi My Dear,

After today Meeting with Government of Ministry of Finance Republic of Benin
they have decided to finalize all the Compensations payment inheritance funds
with you this year 2011 and now we have arranged your payment of ($900,000.00)
Nine hundred thousand united state dollars of your Cashier check Compensations
to be sent to youthrough western union money transfer payment: Your payment
will sending to you by western union, the amount you will receive per day is
$13,000.00, $6,500 first one and second $6,500 two time per a day.

The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details you need to pick up your first payment by western
union, you will receive every day till you receive your Compensations
$900,000.00 united state dollars, now no need to send you this Cashier check
because United State Government complain bitterly that there is many fake
check coming from Africa,and for that Our Government decided to paid all
Compensations payment inheritance funds Beneficiary through Western Union
Money Transfer payment.

The Director Administrator Ministry of Finance trust funds have already signed
your payment, now you are free to comply with payment office on this
E-mail:(w-u-m-t-ofice@live.com) however, kindly contact the below person who
is in position to release your payment by western union $13, 000.00 per a day.

Western Union Department (Bank of Africa)
Mr.George Ego,
Tel: +229 962 264 10
E-mail:(w-u-m-t-ofice@live.com )

The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your
payment and you have to stop any further communication with those Scamers or
office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment. Note that the
dministrator payment need this details from you to process your payment:

Receiver name---------------
Country---------------------
City------------------------
Tel-------------------------
Test question---------------
Answer----------------------
Copy of your Id.

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details to Mr.George Ego,
he will start sending your payment by western union.

Regards,
Dr.Pete Weel
Director Ministry of Finance Republic of Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam