419 scam: Western Union Money Transfer <ecobank_plcbenin1@yahoo.fr> YOUR FIRST $5000 USD PAYMENT IS READY HERE IS THE MTCN: ..765-845-3969

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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. )
- "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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "westernunionmo@hosanna.net" (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.
- +22998465813 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Money Transfer <ecobank_plcbenin1@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: westernunionmo@hosanna.net
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:38:15 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: YOUR FIRST $5000 USD PAYMENT IS READY HERE IS THE MTCN: ..765-845-3969

Â FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA
ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
UNIONÂ® WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION.
SEND MONEY WORLDWIDE.
WEBSITE: www.westernunion.com
EMAIL:(westernunionmo@hosanna.net)

ATTN DEAR BENEFICIARY.

This is to notify all our clients about the latest development concerning
all the payment that are left in our custody. which yours are inclusive
Besides, you where given a bill in order to receive your payment of which
we didnâ€™t hear from you for sometime now.

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special bonus to help all our
customers that are having their payment in our custody due to because of
price. in order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay
only the sum of $98. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our
custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and
your funds shall be transfer to your destination address. As a matter of
fact, your first payment of $5000.00 daily is ready for you to pick up at
western union.You can track it online www.westernunion.com with this
information:

Sender Name:........ Mary E. Conrad
MTCN: .......... 765-845-3969

You will see it avalibale for pick up but you cannot pick it up because we
were instructed to put it onhold untill you send renew your payment file
with the federal ministry of finance here.

But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will
divert your funds to government fund to avoid problem . Again after (THREE
DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is the reason we
deceid to help all our customers before we enter the new project.

So be advise to send the $98.00 immediately so that we will register your
payment and for you to start receiveing your $5000.00 as from today. Be
advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone
unless you will call +229-9846-5813 After the payment of $98.00usd you
will start receiveing your money every blessing day $5000.00 through
western union

Send the $98. 00 usd today through Western Union Money Transfer with this
information below,

Receiver's name==Chinedu Okolo.
Country== Benin Republic.
City====Cotonou,
Text Question== In God
Answer== We Trust.
Amount=$98. 00usd

Forward the payment control number, sender name and address after sending
the $98.00 to enable us pick up the money in this Department office here.

The moment we receive the payment of $98. 00 I will release the first
payment information of $5000.00 to you and you will pick up the money and
i will send you another money until your amount some of ( $850,000.00 )usd
is finished .

Waiting to hear from you soon.
Mr Davis Mark.
CALL +229-9846-5813 IMMEDIATELY FOR MORE DETAIL
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE (WU/BC/229)

This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended Solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the
information herein by anyone other than the intended receipient, or an
employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended
receipient, is prohibited payment.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam