419 scam: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT <sexyredval@yahoo.com> YOUR FIRST $5000 USD PAYMENT IS READY HERE IS THE MTCN: ..253-035-6593

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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)
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 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.
- westunion@sify.com (Sify; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT <sexyredval@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: westunion@sify.com
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 04:24:29 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR FIRST $5000 USD PAYMENT IS READY HERE IS THE MTCN: ..253-035-6593

P {
MARGIN: 0px
}
UL {
MARGIN-TOP: 5px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5px
}
OL {
MARGIN-TOP: 5px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5px
}

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:(westunion@sify.com)

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
$55. 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:........ Basil Eze
MTCN: ..........
253-035-6593

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
$55.00 immediately so that we will register your
payment and for you to start
receiveing your $5000.00 as from today.
After the payment of $55.00usd you will start receiveing your money every
blessing day $5000.00 through
western union

Send the $55. 00 usd today
through Western Union Money Transfer with this
information
below,

Receiver's name==Samuel Ozemena
Country== Benin
Republic.
City====Cotonou,
Text Question== In God
Answer== We
Trust.
Amount=$55. 00usd

Forward the payment control number, sender
name and address after sending
the $55.00 to enable us pick up the money in
this Department office here.

The moment we receive the payment of $55. 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
Basil Eze.
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