419 scam: western union <henryricks@rediffmail.com> RE:WESTERN UNION PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

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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. )
- "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 <henryricks@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: transfer-money1@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 30 May 2011 04:05:56 +0100 (BST)
Subject: RE:WESTERN UNION PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNIONMONEY
TRANSFER.COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS
455 AGBOKOU, ANKPA ROAD LAGOTES PALAR

http://www.westernunion.com/
Â
Attn:Customer,
Â
This is to notify all our customers about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody which you are inclusive Besides, yours where given a BILL, in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for sometime now....
Â
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 $100.00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Â
Therefore,my dear valued customer, this is the opportunity for youÂ to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your designated address.But remember that after (3 DAYS) 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 as we have been instructed by the Ministry of Finance & Budget under the Central Bank of West African States.
Â
Again after (THREE DAYS) we will enter a new project for the year and that is the reason why we decided to helpÂ all our customers before we enter into the new project.So be advise to send the $100.00 immediately so that we will register your payment and willÂ start sending you the sum ofÂ $5000.00 as from tomorrow which you will be receiving daily until the total sum of US$1.500,000.00 is completely transferred to you.
Â
In line of the above, you are hereby advised strictly to liaise with this western union money transfer, which has to be met up with within 3 daysÂ of this notification, as we are on the verge of rounding up remittance on this quarter thus,after the payment of $100.00 you will start receiving your moneyÂ $5000.00 par day through Western Union until the full payment of $1.500,000.00 is completed.
Â
You are required to Send the $100 through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
Â
Receiver Name.......Â Onochie Kelly
Country:...Benin Republic
City.........Cotonou
Question:...Yes
Answer.: Yes
Amount......$100.00
MTCN........
Sender name.......
Â
The moment we receive the payment of $100.00 we will release the first payment information's of $5000 to you and you will pick up the money and I will send you another money. Hoping to hear from you.You can also reach our customer care on Phone for more details of this notification (+229) 98225943.
Â
REV DR PROMISE ANTHONY
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam