419 scam: Western Union Money Transfer <westernuniionmeytransfer@live.fr> Western Union Bonus

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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. )
- "money gram" (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)
- "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: Western Union Money Transfer <westernuniionmeytransfer@live.fr>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:44:37 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Western Union Bonus

Western Union Bonus
Hello My good friend,
This is to notify all our customers about the latest development concerning all the
payment that are left in our custody, which yours is inclusive Besides, you were
given a bill of $245,in order to receive your payment of which we didn't hear from
you for sometime now. Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS for
for your funds worth of $500,000.00 to help all our customers that are having their
payment in our custody due to of prices.

In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of
$49.00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody. Besides, my dear, this
is the opportunity for you and has to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your
designated address. But remember that after (3DAYS) you did not make the payment then
we will divert your funds to Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the
payment for this year until next year because this year is not like last year. Again
after (THREE DAYS) We will enter A new project for the year and that is the reason
why we decided to help to all our customers before we enter into the new project. So
be advise to send the $49.00 immediately so that we will register your payment and
to start receive $5000 today as well.

Reason why you are requested to pay this fee $49 is for registration of your payment
by Federal Minister of Finance.

Be advice that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone. After the
payment of $49.00 you will start receiving your money every day $5,000 through
Western Union and also $5,000 through money gram until the full payment of
$500,000.00 is completed. So what you will be receiving per day is $5,000 and your
total fund/amount to receive from us is ($500,000.00) five hundred thousand U.S.
Dollars. Your information is highly needed to us.

Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
RECEIVER NAME:......... Iwunor Chinedu
CITY....................... Cotonou ,
COUNTRY............ Benin Republic .
Text Question...... ..IN GOD
Answer...............WE TRUST.
Amount................$49.

The moment i receive the payment of $49 I will start releasing the payment
information's of $5,000 to you until the total amount is completed.
Mark James
Western Union

Anti-fraud resources:

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