419 scam: WESTERN UNION <officefile.814@rediffmail.com> WESTERN UNION PAYMENT BONUS FOR YEAR 2010

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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 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.
- +22999608645 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <officefile.814@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: w.unionoficebenin@live.fr
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:31:41 -0800 (PST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION PAYMENT BONUS FOR YEAR 2010

WESTERN UNIONÂ HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT REPUBLIC OF BENIN.FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
Â WEB SITE http://site.www.westernunion.com
WelcomeÂ to Western Union Send Money Worldwide

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â ATTENTION MY DEAR
Â This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are

left in our
custody, which yours are inclusive Besides, your where given a bill of $175,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 of prices. In order words we are now requesting that those

involve should pay only
the sum of $35.00usd to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you, and we will want your urgent action so

that your fund will release to the designated address.
But remember that after (TODAY) 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.
HERE IS YOUR INFORMATION FOR THE FIRST PAYMENT BUT YOU COULD NOT BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP

RIGHT NOW DUE TO OUR FEE CHARGE OF
$5.00usd. Once the fee charge is sent we will send you the full information you will use to

pick up your payment such as text question and answer and also the sender name
Amount: $5,000.00USD
MTCN:...518 389 1342
Â
Again after (two DAYS ) We will enter A new projectÂ for the year and that is the reason

why we decided to
help all our customers before we enter into the new project.
So be advise to send the $35.00usd immediately so that we will register your payment and

for you to start
receive $5,000 as from today.
Â
CONTACTÂ Â PADDY MORRIS
Phone;+229- 99-60-86-45
Email(w.unionoficebenin@live.fr)
Â
And after the payment of $35.00usd you will start receiving your money every day $5,000

from this Western
Union, and you are to Send the money via Western Union Money Transfer with the name below,
Receiver's name== MBANEFO PRINCE
Country==Â Benin Republic.
City== Cotonou,
Text Question== In God
Answer== We Trust.
Amount=$35.00usd
The moment we receive the payment of $35.00usd then we will release the first payment

information's of $5,000 to
you and you will pick up the money and we will send you another money. Hoping to hear from

you.
REGARDS
MRS. SANDRA SONG

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam