419 scam: WESTERN UNION <itpolm@gmail.com> Western Union International Money Transfer Benin.

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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)
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 <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:50:17 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Western Union International Money Transfer Benin.

Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Cotonou Benin.
ADDRES: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Website: www.westernunion.com
Email: moneytransferworldwide@w..cn
Telephone: [229]-2108448 or Fax: [229]9978.9844
Attention Dearest Customer,

This is to official notify all our costumer about the latest development concerning all the payment that left in our custody which your payment is included, 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 $85 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 $85.USD immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiving $4000 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.

After the payment of $85.USD you will start receiving your money every day $4000 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=$85.USD Only

The moment we receive the payment of $85 I will release the first payment information of $4000 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. Uzoma George
Western Union International Money Transfer Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam