419 scam: Western Union <western_union

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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. )
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 <western_union_m-t@w.cn>
Reply-To: western_u_m_t@w.cn
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 10:02:23 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Western Union

Western Union
SendÂ & Receive Money Worldwide

Western UnionÂ New YearÂ Bonus
Â DATE;Â 08/01/2010.

Dear Customer;
Â
This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our western union custody, which yours are inclusive,Besides you where given a bill of $182 in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you since even now.......Â

Hence, our Western Union Money Transfer is now offering a Special BONUS ( A NEWÂ YEAR BONUS )to help all our customers that are having their paymentÂ in our western union custody due to high fee. In order words, we are now requesting that you should pay only the sum of $59 to receive you payment abandoned in our western union office. This is an opportunity for you to receive your funds from this western union money transfer office.
Â
But remember that after ( 1 DAYS )b which is 24hours from now and you did not make the payment of $59 then we will divert your funds to Government Fund. Again after ( 24hours ) We will enter A new projectÂ for the year 2011 and that is the reason why we decided to help you before we enter into the new project.
Â
So beÂ advised to send the $59 immediately so that we will register your payment for you to start receiving $4,000 as from today.Â Be advised that there is no time to delay now. After the payment of $59 you will start receiving your money everyÂ day $4,000 through Western Union.
Â
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with this information.
Â
Receiver's Name==Â Udealor Dennis
Country=, Benin Republic.
Text Question== WHAT FORÂ
Answer==Â GOOD
Amount Only= $59
Senders Name:::
MTCN:::::::::

This is urgent.
Â
Western Union Managment.
Ofiice:Â Â Â +229 66278781
www.westernunion.com
All-Right Reserved 2011

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam