419 scam: "Mr. Paul Tago" <rosewillis206@yahoo.pt> Money Transfer Control Number(M.T.C.N): 1737782538

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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.
- +22961051988 (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.
- wunionservicebj@accountant.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Paul Tago" <rosewillis206@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: "Mr. Paul Tago" <wunionservicebj@accountant.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:44:04 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number(M.T.C.N): 1737782538

Â Money Transfer Control Number(M.T.C.N): 1737782538
ATTENTION Beneficiary ,

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Be informed that the sum of Five thousandÂ dollars
($5000.00 USD) has already been sent to you via ourÂ Western Union
Money Transfer office as we have been given the mandate to transfer
your full overdue payment, a total sum of $4.8Million USD, via the
western union by the Ministry of Finance.

I tried contacting you to give you the necessary information to enable
you pick up your funds but I couldn't get through yesterday, so I
decided to email you the MTCN and senderâ€™s name so that you can pick
up the $5000.00 to enable us send another $5000.00 by tomorrow.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â As you know already we will be sending you $5000.00
only per day. And it was agreed that you are to pay the clearance
certificate charges a totalÂ sum of $187.00 before you are enabled to
pick up your first payment, do take note of this, that you are to pay
the $187.00 before picking up your first payment.

Go to any western union office in your locality to pick up the
$5000.00 which is currently active and endeavor to call me as soon as
you get this mail as the only Operation Manager in charge of your
payment, and I will send you another payment tomorrow once you pick up
the first one, contact me once
you track the $5000.00 USDÂ today.+229 61051988

Below is the western union information to pick up the $5000.00 USD;
which you will be receiving daily after you send the transfer
clearance certificate charges of $187 and it will serve as
re-confirmation of your payment file in this office.

NOTE:
That you cannot pick up these funds if the transfer clearance
certificate charges is not paid for.

MTCN:(1737782538) SENDERS

FIRST NAME:DALE

SECOND NAME:BUGGINS

TEST : WHEN

ANS â€¦TODAY
http://www.wu.com/content/wucom/Countries/en_BJ/track-transfer-result.html?t

Union%20agent%20location)
track it and be sure ok.
I will be waiting to hear from you with the transfer clearance
certificate payment of $187.00 today, and you are to make use the
information below to send the transfer charges today.

RECEIVER: SOULE BADAROU
COUNTRY:Â BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY:Â Â Â Â COTONOU
QUESTION: TODAY?
ANSWER:Â Â YES
AMOUNT;Â Â $187

Be advised that the $187USD transfer clearance certificate is
compulsory as I was told, that is the only fee to be paid before you
can receive your payment completely. Contac direct E-mail Address :( wunionservicebj@accountant.com). Your direct
contact and telephone number. +229 61051988

Regarde
Mr. Paul Tago.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam