419 scam: office-------------------------------------- file <mikebenson2011@att.net> WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

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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. )
- "money gram" (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.
- +22998551553 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: office-------------------------------------- file <mikebenson2011@att.net>
Reply-To: western.union11@qatar.io
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 05:37:06 -0800 (PST)
Subject: WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

Â

Western Union Â®
Welcome to Western UnionSend Money
Worldwide FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN
UNION MONEY TRANSFER. COTONOU BENIN
REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD LAGOTES PALARÂ WEBÂ SITE.www.westernunion.comÂ http://site.www.westernunion.
com/

Â
AttnÂ :Â

This is to notify all our
customers about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left
in our custody,which yours are inclusive Besides, yours where given a bill of
$235,in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for
sometime now....
Â
Hence, our Western UnionÂ is now offering a Special
BONUS to help all our customers that are having their paymentÂ in our custody
due to of prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should
pay only the sum of $65.00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our
custody.
Â
Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to
comply and your fundsÂ shall be transfer to your desginated address.
Â
But
remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert
your funds to Goverment Fund, to aviod problem or we will cancel the payment for
this year untill next yearÂ because this year is not like last
year.
Â
Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new projectÂ for the
year and that is the reason why we decided to help to all our customers before
we enter into the new project.
Â
So beÂ advise to send the $65.00
immediately so that we will register your payment and for to start receive
$5000..00 as from tomorrow.

Be advise that there is no time
again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call +229 98551553
After the payment of $65.00 you will start receiveing your money everyÂ day
$5000.00 through Western Union A Money Gram $5000 by money gram untill the full
payment of $1.2m is completed. So what you will be receiveing per day is
$10.000
Â
Send the money through Western Union
Money Transfer with the information below:

RECEIVER NAME:..........MR.
Enyinnaya Anyim

COUNTRY...........Cotonou, Benin
Republic.
Text Question== In God
Answer...............We
Trust.
Amount...............$65.00
Â
The
moment i receive the payment of $65.00 i will release the first payment
informations of $5000 to you and you will pick up the money and i will send you
another money. Hoping to hear from you.

Â

Â Mr.
Enyinnaya Anyim
TELE: +229 98551553
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION
OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE (
303)

Western
UnionÂ®
www.westernunion.co.uk. Send
Money Worldwide

Â

Â

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam