419 scam: "Dr. Solomon Young"<westernunion@westernunion.org> PICK UP YOUR MONEY. YOUR MTCN: 7850434529 !

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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. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- +22996342832 (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.
- zz_11@muchomail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Solomon Young" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <zz_11@muchomail.com>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:05:49 +0100
Subject: PICK UP YOUR MONEY. YOUR MTCN: 7850434529 !

Welcome to Western Union

Send Money Worldwide

Send Money

Attention Dear Customer!

This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning, ATM Debit cards, henceforth commercial banks, Security Companies, ATM Credit and Debit Union including any offshore payment centers are no more authorized to handle release of funds due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.

I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00 dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your payment total sum of $2.5 Million,via western union by this Government.

I decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you will pick up the $5000.00 to enable them send another $5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00 per day, it was agreed that you will pay the sum of $189 for (CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS LEGALITY) before they will release the payment to you.

Your payment of $5000 is ready. I would require that you Dial any of our official tracking numbers (+18003256000 )(+448007314814) listen to the customer care voice service and follow the tracking instructions or visit our website via (http://www.westernunion.com) and then click on the "Check Transfer" or "Transfer Status", you will then be required to enter the MTCN control number as well as the Sender's Name.
Kindly enter the below information for confirmation.:

http://www.westernunion.com
Here Is The Senders Information
First name Of sender...Obinna
Last name of sender...Mmadueke
MTCN NUMBER... 7850434529

You are hereby advise to call Director of Operation DR Solomon Young because he is the person in charge for your payment. email Him today.

PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT, INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO THE WESTERN UNION OFFICE BY THE BENIN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT THAT BEFORE THE WILL PAY YOU THE $5000 YOU MUST OBTAIN CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS LEGALITY FROM THE BENIN REPUBLIC HIGH COURT TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE THE TRUE BENEFICIARY TO BE PAYING VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER AND THE CERTIFICATE COST $189 ONLY

You will be receiving your payment of $5000.00 Us Dollars immediately you sent them their transfer charge of $189 and it will serve as re-confirmation of your file payment from the office in charge. Note that your $5000 is placed on hold pending when you send them the $189 Dollars.

Here is the information to send the charges of $189
RECEIVER-------------Chigbata Pascal Chinedu
LOCATION CITY---------COTONOU-BENIN
COUNTRY-----------------BENIN REPUBLIC
TEXT QUESTION-WHO CREATE MAN?
ANSWER-----------GOD
AMOUNT--------------$189.Only

Contact person
Dr. Solomon Young
Phone: +2299-634-2832
Email: zz_11@muchomail.com

Be advise that the $189 is a compulsory Because that is only money you will pay before you receive your payment completely I am waiting for your call once you pick up this $5000.00,Please email your current telephone number and your details.

Thank you

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam