419 scam: MR PHILIP TURAN <officefile----0030@att.net> WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

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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.
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. )
- "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)
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.
- mrphilipt6@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MR PHILIP TURAN <officefile----0030@att.net>
Reply-To: mrphilip_turan@yahoo.in
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 01:39:04 -0800 (PST)
Subject: WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Send Money Worldwide
BRANCH: PLOT 117 JEAN PAUL AVENUE
Tel: (Tel: (+229) 98 95 86 46/ Fax: (+229) 22 33 14 18
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Mail to: mrphilipt6@gmail.com
Website: www.westernunion.com

Dear Beneficiary ,

Inreferenceto the general consensus meeting held with The BeninFondation De France(B.F.D.F),UNHCR ORGANIZATION and the Ministry ofFinance which the themewas to settle all astanding Compensation/GrantDebts owed by UNHCRORGANIZATION and Government and as well conduct andissuecompensation/grant to the new beneficiaries.

Yourgrantdonation information is, reference No: STH/UNO/WBO/MM-2010, FileNo:GT/55/1209SW. The selection process was carried out throughourcomputerized email selection system from a database of over200,000email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.

Thereforeyouare a beneficiary of compensation/Grant funds of $500,000.00. Thefundswas arranged by the said Organisations to be transferred viaWesternUnion Money Transfer. In accordance to the engagement agreementwith thevarious Ministries.

TheWesternUnion here in Benin Republic has limited transfer rate becauseofInternational communities and Anti-Terrorist/Drug Law so, we areonlypermitted to transfer $5,000.00 daily until your total fundscompletelypaid.

Pleasesend to us your fullnames and address with city and country as statedbelow to receive yourcompensation funds as we are only permitted totransfer $5,000.00 daily.
Receiver Name
Country--------------
City----------------
Phone--------------
Test question-------------
Answer----------------
We await your prompt response.

Mr Philip Turan
Senior Management - WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
BRANCH: PLOT 117 JEAN PAUL AVENUE
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Tel: (Tel: (+229) 98 95 86 46/ Fax: (+229) 22 33 14 18
Mail to: mrphilipt6@gmail.com
Website: www.westernunion.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam