419 scam: WESTERN UNION <file----4352@att.net> Dear Beneficiary

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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. )
- "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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <file----4352@att.net>
Reply-To: western_union100188@live.com
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:50:47 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Dear Beneficiary

WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Send Money Worldwide
BANK OF AFRICA COCOTOMEY
Tel: (00229) 93002840/ Fax: (00229) 99 70 5 74 0
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Email: western_union100188@live.com
Website: www.westernunion.com

Dear Beneficiary ,

In reference to the general consensus meeting held with The Benin Foundation De France (B.F.D.F),UNHCR ORGANIZATION and the Ministry of Finance which the theme was to settle all standing Compensation/Grant Debts owed by UNHCR ORGANIZATION and Government and as well conduct and issue compensation/grant to the new beneficiaries.

Your grant donation information is, reference No: STH/UNO/WBO/MM-2011, File No: GT/55/1209SW. The selection process was carried out through our computerized email selection system from a database of over 200,000 email addresses drawn from all the continents of the world.

Therefore you are a beneficiary of compensation/Grant funds of 800,000.00Euros. The funds was arranged by the said Organizations to be transferred via Western Union Money Transfer. In accordance to the engagement agreement with the various Ministries, The Western Union here in Benin Republic has limited transfer rate because of International communities and Anti-Terrorist/Drug Law so, we are only permitted to transfer 3,750.00Euros daily until your total funds completely paid.

Please send to us your full names and address with city and country as stated below to receive your compensation funds as we are only permitted to transfer 3,750.00Euros daily.

Receiver Name-------------
Country--------------
City----------------
Phone--------------
Test question-------------
Answer----------------

We await your prompt response.

Rev David Mike
Senior Management - WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
Route Inter Etat Cotonou-Lome
Cocotomey, 08BP0879
Tel: (00229) 93 00 28 40 Fax: (00229) 99 70 57 40
BENIN REPUBLIC.
Email:western_union100188@live.com
Website: www.westernunion.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam