419 scam: Western Union Money Transfer Accra Ghana / Lome Togo <wsternunion@live.com> A recommendation from a friend

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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:

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. )
- "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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "chief auditor" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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: Western Union Money Transfer Accra Ghana / Lome Togo <wsternunion@live.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:33:41 -0400
Subject: A recommendation from a friend

Good Day,

How are you doing today? We the Western Union Board of Directors, We are contacting you regarding your Fund of $3.8 Million USD are sorry for the Daley which the Western Union have put you as you can see now we have activate your name and today we made One transfer to your name so you are to pick Five thousand US dollars {$5,000.00usd}. Kindly visit our official web site www.westernunion.com ,Find TRACKING on the top right of the site page, and insert accordingly the details following the instructions below,

(1)
Amount:......................................................$5,000.00USD
Money Transfer Control Number:..........9162040868
Sender First Name:....................................Edgar
Sender Last Name:....................................Steven
Test Question:............................................*****
Test Answer:...............................................*****

Western Union has decoded the transfer of your funds into the systems already. What you are going to pay for is the transfer charge.we should have deducted this fee from your funds but the money has already been registered for the transfer and sent to the Western union cooperate headquarters. The transfer center has already programmed the total funds to be transfer to your name..

Your daily withdraws from western union will be Five thousand US dollars {$5,000.00usd}. and because of this we are going to give you a PUK code. This code will make your MTCN valid for the total withdrawal of your funds. i.e you will use the MTCN to be released to you subsequently on a daily basis. Western union cannot give you MTCN daily, so we are giving you this one MTCN and activate a PUK code for you ...

So now you are to make the payment for the transfer charge which will cost you $150usd.
Payment must be done with the details below:

Receiver's first name:........................Awala
Receiver's last name:.........................Monday
Amount:.......................................$150usd
Country / Location:...........................Accra / Ghana

You are to make this payment today and As soon as the payment is verified here in our office we are going to call you so that you can go to the Western Union and pick up the Five thousand US dollars {$5,000.00usd}.

Thanks for your understanding
Best Regards,
Dr. Edgar Steven
Chief Auditor General
Western Union Money Transfer
Tell:+233-5426-58051

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam