419 scam: USUF MOHAMED <peter_paul260@yahoo.com.tw> What is going on?, who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "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.
- westernunion_moneytransfer3352@yahoo.co.uk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: USUF MOHAMED <peter_paul260@yahoo.com.tw>
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:16:20 +0800 (CST)
Subject: What is going on?, who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?

Western Union Corporate Headquarters
12 BP 5001 Cotonou Benin Republic

WEB SITE. www..westernunion.com www.westernunion.com
Contact
Email; Addess ; westernunion_moneytransfer3352@yahoo.co.uk
Dear Esteemed
customer,

What is going on?, who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?
I was
trying to get you on phone regarding your US$10.5M but it seems as you
don't
want to pick my call. However, this Jonathan visited my office today
monday
June 20, 2011 with a Beninios lawyer and application of claim over
your
$10.5Million USD, with this financial institution.

Please, do confirm to
me, as a matter of urgency if this man is really from
you so that this
office will not be held responsible for paying wrong
person.

Based
on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve
the
payment on his favor since you failed to fulfill the neccessary
obligation
given to you by the western union to process your payment.
Therefore, if you
are really serious and willing to receive the first $6,000
through western
union, kindly get back to me and I will work with you to
complete the
western union payment processing fees so that you will start
receiving
$6,000 everyday.

Since Western Union Payment processing fee is
158$, in my concerted efforts
to actualize your fund payment with the
convenient time schedule I will
raise $100, so I am expecting $58 from you
today. Please note that the
reason why I decided to help you pay part of the
money is because I don't
want your Funds to be forfeited by this government
or be transfered to the
wrong person, And I know that when you receive your
total sum of US$10.5M,
definitely you must compensate me.

As an
insider in this Financial Institution, I must assure you that once you
have
provided to the Bank with their demands, they would now be under legal
obligation to transfer the funds to you within 6hours we confirm this $58.
YES, you must surely receive the first $6,000 within 6hours after you send
this $58.

Receivers Name:====. Francis Obiedo
Country=======Benin
Republic
City:=============== Cotonou
Test Question:=======go
Answer:
===========come
Amount:===========$58.00usd
MTCN ========?
Sender's
Name=====?

I will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy
payment left
behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit
it. I
believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable
human-being
will never allow to slip by. We do business each day with an
absolute
commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility.

Am waiting
for your urgent response.
Mr. Recheard
Robert,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam