419 scam: Western Union Money Transfer <itpolm@gmail.com> MTCN: 6758092078

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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 Money Transfer <itpolm@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneytransferworldwide@w.cn
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:55:46 +0900 (KST)
Subject: MTCN: 6758092078

WelcomeÂ to Western
Union Money Transfer Benin

WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM
BENIN.Â

send Money World
wide

Send Money
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 6758092078
Sender first name:Â Brian
Sender last
name:Â Â Prochoren
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