419 scam: WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE <itpolm@gmail.com> YOUR FIRST PAYMENT MTCN 2112701555

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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. )
- "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 HEAD OFFICE <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 20:02:00 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR FIRST PAYMENT MTCN 2112701555

WelcomeÂ to Western Union Money Transfer Benin
WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM BENIN.Â
send Money World wide
Send MoneyÂ Â

Â
Attention Dearest Customer,Â

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 for re-conforming your payment files 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 paymentÂ in our
custody due to of prices. In order words we are now requesting that
those involve should pay only the sum of $59 USD to receive all their
payment abandoned in our custody.
Â
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.
Â
And
here is your first payment of $3000 USA Dollars that we transferred to
your name today, track it on your computer and confirm that your payment
is really transfered and proceed to send us the $59.

MTCN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2112701555

Sender first name:Â John

Sender last name:Â Â Nteli

Question:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Our Lord

Answer:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Is Good

Amount:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â USD$3000

So be advice to send the $59.USD
immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start
receiving $3000 as from tomorrow. 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:Â moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Telephone:Â Â Â Â Â Â +229.999.418.9
Â
After the payment of $59.USD you will start receiving your money every day $3000 through this Western Union;
Â
Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below,
Â
Receiver's name== Mrs. Igbanugo Lawrence
Country== Cotonou , Benin Republic.
Text Question==Â What Colour
Answer== Blue
Amount=$59.USD Only
Mtcn.....
Sender,s==
Â
The
moment we receive the payment of $59 I will release the first payment
information of $3000 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.
Â
Yours in Service
Mrs. Igbanugo Lawrence N.
Western Union International Money Transfer Benin.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam