419 scam: Western Union Office <westernverifications@hotmail.com> THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 500)ATTENTION BENEFICIARY,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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)
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.
- +22999155129 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- westernverifcation@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Office <westernverifications@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:40:37 +0100
Subject: THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 500)ATTENTION BENEFICIARY,

THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 500)
ATTENTION 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, your were given a bill of $150.00 for clearance certificate in
order to receive your payment of $850 000 00. USD which we didn’t hear
from you for sometime now.

Hence, Our Western Union is now
offering a Special Bonus to help all our customers that left their
payment in our custody due to high fee. Inorder words we are now
requesting that those involved should pay only the sum of $52 to receive
all their payment abandoned in our custody. Besides, my dear, this is
the opportunity for you and you have to comply so that your funds shall
be transfered to your destinated address immediatly without any delay.

But
remember that after (one week)and you fails to make the payment of $52
we will divert your funds to govement treasuery(ACCOUNT) to aviod
problem or we will cancel the payment for this year untill next year
because this year cannot take the position of last year as we are in new
schem of work. Again after (one week ) cancelation order will be
imposted on your fund and that is the reason we decided to help all our
customers before they loose their funds.

So be advised to send
the $52 immediately,So that we can be able to re-newed and re-confirmed
your payment file here as I have told you earlier for you to start
picking up the fund from any western union office nearest to you on the
rate of $5,000.00 per day.
BELOW IS YOUR FIRST PAYMENT DETAILS, SO GO AHEAD AND SEND THE $52 AND
RECEIVE YOUR FUND WITHOUT DELAY.
SENDER`S NAME; Godin
SENDER`S SECOND NAME::Meka
TEXT QUESTION::TRUST
ANSWER::HONEST
MTCN; 4287596591
TO CONFIRM, YOU SHOULD TRACK THE MTCN BY WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM
Be
advised that there is no time again for us to call you on phone unless
you will call +229-99-15-5-129 or e-mail us at; westerunion
NOTE;
After the payment of $52 you will start receiveing your money SIX(6
)times per week $5,000.00 till the payment of $850 000 00. is completely
transfered to you through western union.

STOP DELAYING THIS
FUND HERE. REMEMBER THAT ONCE THIS NEEDED MONEY IS RECEIVED HERE AS I
TOLD YOU,THIS FUND WILL BE RELEASED FOR YOU TO START PICKING IT UP FROM
ANY WESTERN UNION OFFICE NEAREST TO YOU.
Send this needed $52 now through Western Union Money Transfer with the
informations bellow:
1.RECEIVER NAME:........ Ogugua Paul
2.COUNTRY:.......... Republic of Benin .
3.CITY :......... Cotonou.
4.TEXT QUESTION:.....Honest
5.TEXT ANSWER:......Trust...
6.AMOUNT:.........$52. 00 USD
MTCN NUMBER..........
SENDER'S NAME SHOULD BE YOUR NAME.
WE
ARE WAITING FOR YOUR UEGENT RESPONSE TO ENABLE THIS OFFICE KNOW YOUR
ARRANGEMENT FOR THE PAYMENT. YOU CAN CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
THIS CELL PHONE NUMBER: +229-99-15-5-129 OR MAIL TO OUR CONTACT
E-MAIL;(westernverifcation@hotmail.com)

NOTE; DO RE-CONFIRMED YOUR FULL CONTACT INFORMATIONS WITH YOUR DIRECT PHON NUMBER.
BEST REGARDS,
Mr TERRY COOL
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 500)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam