419 scam: "Mr. James Mark."<moneytransfer.westernunion00@yahoo.com> (no subject)

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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. )
- "into your nominated bank account" (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)
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "million 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)
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "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.
- +22997282398 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Mark." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <cudc@live.fr>
Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 19:03:19 +0200
Subject:

Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Western Union® Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide

Attention:,

We draw your attention to the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in respect of the sum of US$2.5Million Dollars (two million five hundred thousand united states dollars) directed in cash and accredited to file KTU/9023118308 at the owner of this email account.

This information was made available to us a while ago by the INTERNATIONALMONETARY FUND directed that your compensation be transferred to you through your allocated security code which they choose to send it to you through your email account instead of your name for security reason.

But at the moment, we are unable to complete a transfer directed at your email address, so we require more information in order to complete this transfer to you.

FULL NAME:
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:

To ensure that we resolve this problem now, endeavor to email us immediately via Western Union Solicitors Fund Verification Department: (cudc@live.fr).
Be informed that as soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the requirements of payment of the western union charges $280USD, we will transfer your total fund to your nominated bank account or directly from the Western Union money Transfer system.

We are mindful of the activities of fraudstars but you are advised to maintain a strict and confidential relationship with us and guard all information made available to you in the cause of this transfer with all deligence to avoid unnecessary interferance in our operations to ensure that your total fund is transferred to you sucessfully as soon as possible.

Do contact us through our website, www.westernunion.co.uk but be informed also that you will be responsible for any payment that is needed for the transfer of your fund into your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from the Western Union money Transferring Bank.

This information is from THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER, COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC .

Sincerely,
Mr. James Mark.
www.westernunion.co.uk
(cudc@live.fr) . Western Union® Welcome to Western Union
Phone:+229-972-82398 Send Money Worldwide.
www.westernunion.co.uk

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam