419 scam: MR JOHN WILLIANS <michaeljohn198@gmail.com> YOUR FUND HAS BE SENT

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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)
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 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.
- western.union_benin@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: MR JOHN WILLIANS <michaeljohn198@gmail.com>
Reply-To: western.union_benin@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2011 03:47:47 +0100 (BST)
Subject: YOUR FUND HAS BE SENT

Goodday,

How are you today? I write to inform you that we have already sent you
$5000.00 usd dollars through Western union as we have been given the mandate
to transfer your full compensation payment total sum of $1.5Million USD,via
western union by this governemnt.I was calling your telephone number to give
you the information through phone but you did not pick up my calls through out
that yesterday even this morning.Now,I decided to email you the MTCN and
sender name so that you will pick up the $5000.00 usd to enable us send
another $5000.00 usd today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00
usd per day.and it was agreed that you will pay the sum of $45 before they
will realease the payment to you.Please pick up this information and run to
western union to pick up the $5000.00 usd and call Director of Opration Sir.
onu okoye because he is the person incharge for your payment so that he can
send you another
payment today,
phone line (+229) 99024137 (+229) 99024137,
Email:(western.union_benin@yahoo.com)

email Him once you picked up the $5000.00 USD today.Here is the western union
information to pick up the $5000.00; which you will be receiving your payment
$5000.00 Us Dollars immediately you sent them their transfer charge of $45 and
it will serve as re-confirmation of your file payment from the office incharge.

So you are to re-confirm to them the below information:
Your. Receiver----------
Your. Country-------
Your. City-----------
Your. Tel----------
Your. Test question------
Your. Answer-----------
Your.. Passport-----------
Your. Email Address-------------
Your. Password---------------

Here Is The Payment information of your first payment that has been transfer
but it's still on hold till you send the transfer charge so you can track it
now and confirm that it's available for pick up then once you send the
transfer charge today, we will release it immediately to enable you pick it
today.Hear is the payment information that we send you today,

SENDERNAME===== Sarah Wright
SENDERCOUNTY=====BENIN REPUBLIC
TEST QUESTION====HOW LONG
ANSWER======TODAY
Mctn=====1339862903
Amount====$5000.00USD

You can login to western union website with this link to check out your
transfer https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global This
is the payment information below you will user to make the payment of
$45 USD,

RECEIVER-------------chiozie paul obinna
COUNTRY-----------------BENIN REPUBLIC
LOCATION CITY---------COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION--ONE?
ANSWER-----------GOD
AMOUNT--------------$45.Only

Be advise that the $45 is a compulsory as they told me that is only money you
will pay until you receive your payment completely I am waiting for your call
once you pick up this $5000.00 usd,Please email me your direct telephone
number because I need to be calling you once we send any payment for the
informations..

YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS HIGHLY NEEDED .
REGARDS
JOHN willans
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
TELL PHONE (+229)99024137

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam