419 scam: Western Union Department <linkertodd@yahoo.com> PAYMENT SENT CALL MR PRINCE ON +22968148645

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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:
- "dear friend" (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. )
- "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.
- +22968148645 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Department <linkertodd@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: western_ub@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:49:00 -0800 (PST)
Subject: PAYMENT SENT CALL MR PRINCE ON +22968148645

Â

SEND MONEY WORLDWIDE:
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 473 LEU, DE AKPAKPA ROAD.
Welcome to Western Union Tel +22968148645
EmailÂ westernbbb@live.fr

Â
Dear Friend

Â
This is to notify all ofÂ our customers concerning all the payment of $1.7Million, usdÂ Â that are left in our custody,which yours are inclusive Besides, you were given a bill of $150 , in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for sometime now. Hence, ourÂ Â 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 $75 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Â
Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and your fundsÂ will be transfer to your destination address immediately. But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this month until next monthÂ because this month is not like other months.
Â
Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project that is the reason why we decided to help to all our customers before we enter into the new project. Go and send the $75 for us to release this MTCN to you today i have instructed to send the $4,500 today but it is on held reason is because of this fee of $75 Here is the payment information,
Â
Senders First Name: Prince
Senders Last Name: Ogbonna
Question:In God
Answer:We trust
Mtcn:764-057-6456
www.westernunion.com
Â
So be advise to send the $75 immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiving $4,500 with 30mins we confirm your payment Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call +22968148645 After the payment of $75 is sent to us thenÂ you will start receivingÂ your money everyÂ day $4,500 through Western Union Money Transfer.
Â
Send the $75usd today through Western Union Money Transfer with this information below,
Â
Receiver's name== :Joshua Nwaobi
Country==Â Benin Republic.
City====Cotonou,
Text Question== How long
Answer== Today
Amount=$75
Â
The moment we receive the payment of $75 we will release the first payment informationÂ of $4,500 to you and you will pick up the money and we will send you another money until your amount some of $1.7Million,.Â Waiting to hear from youÂ Thanks For Using Western Union as we promise to serve you better.
Â
Regards
Mr Prince Ogbonna
western union Director
+22968148645

Â

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam