419 scam: "Mrs.Linda Hill"<mrslinda.hildesk@yahoo.com> PAYMENT NOTIFICATION THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.

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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. )
- "tax clearance" (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. )
- "tax clearance" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
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.
- +22993966966 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Linda Hill" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <western.union_money.transfer09@f-mail.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:10:08 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.

Hello Dear,

We have concluded the arrangement to effect the payment of your overdue sum of $850.000.00USD through Western Union Swift Money transfer services today but we are unable to complete the transfer as it was directed through email address, we required some more information in order to complete the transfer, so my dear you are to reconfirm your full names and receiver's address, telephone numbers and any of identification, you are to get back to us with the reqiured information for immediate transfer of your fund. You are to receive $8,000.00USD daily until the entire sum is completely paid to you.

Be notified that you will pay for the Tax Clearance Charges of $175.00USD for immediate release and transfer of your payment. This special arrangement is being used to avoid all spurious demands by both the states and Federal Authorities that have delayed your payment transfer confirmation till date and to avoid much interrogation from the Authority in your Country. We shall need your maximum co-operation to ensure that strictest confidence is maintained to avoid any further delays.

Please contact the Accredited Western Union Agent Mr. Mark James with the information below for the details of your first payment such as MTCN, Senders Name.Text Question and Text Answer to enable you pick your first payment once he receive your above information and you have comply with the demands, payment will be made immediately.

Name: Mr. Mark James.
Tell:+229-9396-6966.
E-mail: western_unionmoneytransfer@f-mail.net

Thanks and regards,
Mrs.Linda Hill.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam