419 scam: www.western union <www.western_union_@live.com> Am waiting for your urgent response.

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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.

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

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: www.western union <www.western_union_@live.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:44:54 +0100
Subject: Am waiting for your urgent response.

FAST, RELIABLE, WORLDWIDE MONEY TRANSFER

Western Union Corporate Headquarters
12 BP 5001 Cotonou Benin Republic
Hotline: (+229) 98799711

Dear, customer,

What is going on, who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?
I was trying to get you on phone regarding your US $800,000.00, but it seems as you don't want to speak with me. However, this Jonathan visited my office on Monday 1st March 2010 with a Beninios lawyer and application of claim over your USD $800,000.00 with this financial institution.

Please, do confirm to me, as matter of urgency if this man is really from you so that this office will not be held responsible for paying wrong person.
Based on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve the payment on his favor since you failed to fulfill the obligation given to you by the western union to process your payment. Therefore, if you are really serious and willing to receive the first $5000.00 through western union, kindly get back to me and I will work with you to complete the western union payment processing fees so that you will start receiving USD$ 5000.00 everyday.

Since Western Union Payment processing fee is $50 in my concerted efforts to actualize your fund payment with the convenient time schedule I will raise $40, so I am expecting $50 from you today.

As an insider in this Financial Institution, I must assure you that once you have provided to the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer the funds to you within 6hours we confirm this $50. YES you must receive the first $5,000 within 6hours after you send this $50.
Kindly make the payment to:

1. RECEIVER NAME=======OKECHUKWU, CYRIL, OBALIM,
2. COUNTRY=====COTONOU_BENIN REPUBLIC.
3. QUESTION=======IN GOD
4. ANSWER======WE TURST
5. AMOUNT======US$50.00

I will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy payment left behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit it. I believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable human-being will never allow to slip by. We do business each day with an absolute commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility.

Am waiting for your urgent response.
Mr.Collins Edward,,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
https://signup.live.com/signup.aspx?id=60969

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam