419 scam: ALEX PETER <bello_usman85@yahoo.com.ph> YOUR FUND TRANSFER IS NOW READY WITH WESTERN UNION (FOLLOW UP)

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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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "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)
- "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.
- +22999447505 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: ALEX PETER <bello_usman85@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: western_union067@w.cn
Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 11:20:38 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR FUND TRANSFER IS NOW READY WITH WESTERN UNION (FOLLOW UP)

Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Cotonou Benin.
ADDRES: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENINÂ REPUBLIC.
Website: www.westernunion.com
Phone +229 99447505

Â Dear Costumer Email alert:
Â
The Western Union Money Transfer Service Cotonou, Benin Republic headquarters wishes to inform you that our government has paid part of the fees needed for the final release of your funds $1.500,000.00Â USD to you this month through our Western Union Office here in Benin Republic to avoid you sending much money to African scam again.
Â
And for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving started from tomorrow is $5000 USD till your total funds of $1.500,000.00 USD is complete transferred to you and we have been strongly to send you the first payment of $5000USD today through our payment system here before we find out that your payment file need to renew from world Bank central system. And we listed bellow for your first payment of $5000usd been sent in your name today morning but you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$35.00 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System here in Cotonou, Republic Benin.
Â
Bellow is your first payment for $5000usd sent today.

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 2522147320
SENDER'S NAME====== -------MARCEL OWURAH
Question-=============WHO FOR?
Test Answer==========MY PAYMENT
Amount===============$5,000.00

So if you want to track the money and confirm if the funds is transferred enter our website www.western-union.com then click tracking and enter the mtcn numberâ€¦2522147320Â enter senders first nameâ€¦MARCEL .... Enter senders last name..OWURAH and click tracking and it will show you that your funds is available for you to pick it up..

final urgent in sending us the $35.00usd to enable us proceed on reconfirm your payment file from the world Bank central SYSTEM .Send the fee directly with the name as outline below use it to send the money via western union to enable us pick it from our department here and reconfirm your payment file approval from the world Bank centralÂ and commerce your daily payment immediately.

we also repeat again, you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$35 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System in Benin Republic. So if you would prefer to start receiving your payment first thing tomorrow in the morning hurry up and send the renew and reconfirmation of your payment file fees $35usd with bellow information via western union money transfer service.
Â
Receiver Name: MR. ANEKWE ELUOMUNO
Country: Benin Republic,
City: Cotonou
Text Question: Very Urgent?
Answer: today.
Amount: $35 usd
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is needed and sender's name
Â
Finally Notice: This payment you are receiving is coming directly from World Bank assistance programmable 2011 promo, so its risk free and we the western union headquarters has agree to start sending you the payment immediately you meet up with our demand in this latter.But after 2days you did not reply stand the risk of cancel your payment and have it return back to government

Yours respectfully,
ALEX PETER
DIRECTORÂ Western Union Payments
Phone +229 99447505

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam