419 scam: "Mrs.Maria A Victor"<postmaster@localhost.com> Attention: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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "is highly confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "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.
- +22998987250 (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.
- wu_paymentcenter@yahoo.com.hk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Maria A Victor" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wu_paymentcenter@yahoo.com.hk>
Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 10:36:40 -0700
Subject: Attention:From Western Union Office;

Welcome to Western Union
Address below / 042 avenue
dantopka Cotonou benin republic
Telephone / +229-98987250
Send Money Worldwide

Attention:Beneficiary;

We bring to your notice, that our department has been ordered to transfer the total amount written herein swiftly which is the sum of $2.5 million usd to you from our operating unit in your country so reply providing your;

Your Payment receivers Name:
Your Current Location:
Marital Status:
Phone Number:
Your Age:
Occupation:
Sex:
Any Form of Identity:

In order to avoid any problems as such experienced in the past,we advice that you keep this payment information to your eyes and yourself alone till the transfer is completed, be informed that no agent nor official of ours in your locality aside i will give valid information about your payment, being that your case is highly confidential and our department does not entertain failure or disappointment of any sort, for verification of your payment, do visit our official web site www.westernunion.com find TRACKING on the top right of the site page, click and insert your payment information below accordingly to view the availability of your payment

Money Control # (MTCN):2*********(withheld but will be given when we confirm your name)
Sender First Name: JEFF
Sender Last Name: NWAIGBO

Your payment has been arranged in an operating account of your country as a measure to by pass any unknown obstacle, but your name is yet to be activated as the receiver of the payment.

Send your reply to: wu_paymentcenter@yahoo.com.hk

Thanks.
With Regards,
Mr.Williams James
Western Union Money Transfer Dept.....
Western Union Payment Center,
Benin Republic

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam