419 scam: "Don"<johndon2009@att.net> Western Union Office

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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:
- "dear friend" (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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
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: "Don" (may be fake)
Reply-To: < wu.menu@gala.net>
Date: Sat, 1 May 2010 15:35:11 +0100
Subject: Western Union Office

Attn : My Dear Friend ,

We have arranged your payment of ($3.5 millions)Three Millions five hundred thousand dollars united state in atm payment card to be sent to you through western union money transfer payment.
Your payment will be sent to you by western union, and the amount you will receive per day is $6000 These arrangement was don by the British government to avoid fraudulent act by some groups of individuals whom are using the name of western union to defraud innocent people of there money, Therefore we have handed your file to over to the office of Allen finance and loans who is in charge to make sure you receive this atm card intact without any alteration by any individual on transit kindly contact them with this information below Allen Finnance And Loans
149 Rushey Green CatfordLondon SE6 4BQ
Tel 4470 457 81650
Email, wu.menu@gala.net
They will send you the currently standards track details you need to pick up your ($6000) payment by western union, you will receive every day till you receive the $2.6millions united state dollars completely,
The director administration trust funds have already signed your payment, now you are free to comply with Allen Finance And Loans payment office on this email:
(wu.menu@gala.net
However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by western union per $6000
a day. Mr George Allen
western union department ,
E-mail:(wu.menu@gala.net)
The western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment. Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your payment:
Receiver name and address =============
Country================ ===
City==================== ===
Tel================= =======

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details he will start sending your payment by western union
Thanks and Remain Blessed.
Mr Adams Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam