419 scam: "Western Union@"<noreply@eew.ie> Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) :# 8801-209-854

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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "wu2012@w.cn" (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.
- +22967451677 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union@" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <fundverificationtransfer@yahoo.cn>
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2012 14:09:08 -0400
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) :# 8801-209-854

Attention: Beneficiary,

We are happy to in form you officially that we received approval letter today from Federal Ministry of Finance Office, authorizing our Bank Western Union to program a total sum of $950,000.00 USD and pay you through our western union money transfer system for your easy pickup and warned against any unforeseen delay that could make your fund not to get to you in a timely manner.

The Federal Ministry of Finance chairman (Prince Isaiah Joe ) have submitted your payment file to the Benin Consulate for screening and all data have being confirmed correct to pay you a total sum of $950,000.00 USD as a result overdue contract/Inheritance Funds/Compensation Funds and your Lottery Winning funds so far. We have been advised to send you $5000 USD every day because Western Union laws here in Benin Republic can only transfer a maximum of $5.000 USD every day to you.

We have today transferred your first US$5000.00 available for your pickup at any western union office in your City, but still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $45which you supposed to pay before your transfer will be posted to your country for pickup.

NOTE: THE REASON WHY WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE $45 USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE ACTIVATION FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF BENIN TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING, CRIMINAL ACT AND FOR SECURITY REASONS.

For your convenience check your first $5000.00 installment transfer online at on the space provided at western union: https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

clicks TRACKING and fill the bellow information website.
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) :# 8801-209-854
Sender First Name:John
Sender Last Name: Onyekwe
MTCN:.... 8801-209-854
TEST QUESTION:24?
TEST ANSWER:HOURS
AMOUNT:....$5000.00

You will pickup the $5000 USD at any western union office in your country after 15 mines you send the $45 activation fee of your daily installment account. You are to send the activation fee today on our bellow information through Western Union or store close to you:-

Receive by: ......OFORKA CHRISTIAN NONSO
City : ...........Cotonou,
Country: .........Benin
Zip Code: ........+229
Text Question: ...Faith?
Answer: ..........In God
Amount: ..........US$45
Sender name......
Sender Address.....

As soon as you transfer the activation fee, send us the transfer MTCN on our bellow contact information to enable us receive and proceed with immediate transfer release of your $5000 USD today. Thanks for using our service while we wait your kind response,

ALEX PETER
Call me now +229-67451677
Director Remit Dept
Diamond Bank Western Union Department
E-Mail; wu2012@w.cn

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam