419 scam: WESTERN UNION <kudabug@sbcglobal.net> EASTER BONUS FROM WESTERN UNION,

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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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "customer.care@bay.tc" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +22997948648 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <kudabug@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: customer.care@bay.tc
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 17:49:15 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: EASTER BONUS FROM WESTERN UNION,

FROM: WESTERN UNION OFFICE
Call +229 9794 8648
E-mail: customer.care@bay.tc

02/04/2010

Attention: Beneficiary,

This is to notify all our clients about the latest developmentconcerning all the PAYMENT that are left in our custody which yours areinclusive Besides, your where given a bill of $100.00. in order toreceive your PAYMENT of which we did not hear from you for sometime now.

Hence, our (WESTERN UNION) is now offering a Special bonus to help allour customers that are having their PAYMENT in our custody due tobecause of price. in order words we are now requesting that thoseinvolve should pay only the sum of $50.00 intead of the $100 to receiveall their PAYMENT abandoned in our custody.

Besides,this is the opportunity for you to comply and your funds shallbe transfer to your destination address. But note that after (3 DAYS)you did not make the payment of $50.00 then we will divert your fundsto government treasury,to avoid problem or we will cancel the paymentbecause we are closing all transfer for the season.

So be advise to send $50.00. immediately if you are still wiling toclaim your payment so that we will register your payment once wereceive the transfer charges because you will start receiving yourpayment as from tomorrow morning by 11 am our time here.

After the payment of $50.00 we will give you the full information topick up your first payment of $5,000.00 through western union, Send the$50.00 through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:

1. Receiver Name :__________Ugbanagu Oraegbunam
2. Country_________________Benin Republic.
3. City____________________Cotonou
4. Question________________How Long?
5. Answer:_________________First Thing tomorrow
6. Amount_________________US$50.00

Forward the payment control number, sender name and address aftersending to enable pick up the money in this Department office here.

Note: that we do this to help all our customers so don't delay becauseany delay will make us to cancel your payment or divert payment togovernment to avoid problem because we don't have such time to delayanymore. I am looking forward to receive payment of $50.00. immediatelyyou send it to enable us to give your the full information which youwill use to pick up your payment in any western union but failure to doso you will loose your payment because your have only today andtomorrow after that no more.

I wish you good luck,
Yours in service
Director (Mr.Hill Johnson) officer in charge !!!
Western Union Department Head office
Republic Of Benin, Call +229 9794 8648

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam