419 scam: WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL <itpolm@gmail.com> FROM WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL YOUR FUND, REPLY ASAP.

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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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "moneytransferworldwide@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2011 12:24:05 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FROM WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL YOUR FUND, REPLY ASAP.

Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer
Benin
WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM BENIN.
send Money World wide
Send
Money

Attention Dearest Customer,

This is to notify all our
costumer about the latest development concerning all the payment that left in
our custody which yours are inclusive, besides your where given a bill to
complete your payment files in order to receive your payment of which we didn't
hear from you for sometime now.

Hence, our Western Union is now offering
a Special BONUS again 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 $96 USD to receive all their payment
abandoned in our custody.

So my dear this is the opportunity for you,
and you have to comply so that your funds shall be transfer to your designated
address without any problem today or tomorrow morning.

But remember that
after (4 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will final divert your total
funds to our Government account to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment
for this year because this year is not like last year.

Again after (Four
DAYS) We will enter A new project for the year 2011 and that is the reason why
we decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new project to
ensure that you receive your payment.

So be advice to send the $96.USD
immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiving
$2500 twice daily as from today or tomorrow morning. Be advice that there is no
time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call.

Western Union International
Money Transfer Benin
E-mail address: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Telephone:
+229.98.397.820

After the payment of
$96.USD you will start receiving your money every day $2500 twice through this
Western Union;

Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with
the information below,

Receiver's name== Mrs. Uzoma George.
Country==
Cotonou , Benin Republic.
Text Question== What Colour
Answer==
Blue
Amount=$96.USD Only

The moment we receive the
payment of $96 I will release the first payment information of $2500 to you and
you will pick up the money the same day and I will send you another money.
Hoping to hear from you soonest.

Yours in Service
Mrs. Annie R Joe.
Western
Union International Money Transfer Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam