419 scam: Western Union <wunion165@gmail.com> Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 0058866817

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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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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.
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.
- +22999548099 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- westernunionoffice.beninbranch@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <wunion165@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernunionoffice.beninbranch@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2011 00:55:37 +0530 (IST)
Subject: Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 0058866817

Website: www.westernunion.com
Address: Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street CO/B/REP,
Republic Of Benin.
Tele: ( +229 99548099 )
Email: westernunionoffice.beninbranch@gmail.com

DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER

Sequel to the meeting held today with United States Government, through Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Government have warn you to stop further communication/dealing with any banks that have no website due to fraud going on worldwide. Any banks that is contacting you without website is scam. Please view our website now: www.westernunion.com

The United States Government instructed us to be paying you via western union to you under installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily till the amount is completely paid to you, we have transferred your first installment payment today for your pick-up at any western union worldwide, but still on-hold due to none Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill
of Transfer Document in your payment file, which will cost you ($85.00) You are require to pay before your daily transfer will be made available to you today.

Track your first payment online now using senders first name and last name as directed below: https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 0058866817
Sender First Name: Poul
Sender Last Name: Astrup

Track your first installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily online now, You are requiring paying for Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document fee to Mr. Anthony Nwankwo. and send copy of your international passport which you will use to pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your country.

Receiver's Name:   Anthony Nwankwo
Address:          COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC
Text Question:      In God?
Text Answer:        We Trust
Amount:                $85.00 Dollars Only.

Our customer care service will call you as soon as possible to enable you pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your country. As soon as we receive the MTCN of Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document of ($85.00) for security and safety purpose, I have sent your daily $5,000.00 today and you can pick up the money at any Western Union worldwide.

Sincerely Regards,

Brr Peter Uba
Western Union Payment Officer
Direct Tel:( +229 99548099 )
www.westernunion.com
=================================================================================
For further information, please call +229 99548099 Copyright * 2003 Western Union Holdings, Inc. Restrictions and Special Notes Money transfers sent to BENIN must include a Test Question. Payee must present correct Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and a valid ID to collect. US Dollars payouts are subject to availability. FEXCO/Western Union Ireland is regulated by the Financial Regulator © Western Union - Money Transfer Built by Splash

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam