419 scam: WESTERN UNION OFFICE <mini731031@yahoo.com.tw> IS IT TRUE THAT YOU ARE DEAD???

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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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- +22998211297 (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.
- westernunion044444@yahoo.com.hk (Yahoo, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION OFFICE <mini731031@yahoo.com.tw>
Reply-To: westernunion044444@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:21:45 +0800 (CST)
Subject: IS IT TRUE THAT YOU ARE DEAD???

WESTERN
UNION COTONOU BENIN
REPUBLIC:

10
Parkville Road,
Aso Rock Villa Cotonou
Benin Republic.
+22998211297

Dr Ricard Benson
westernunion044444@yahoo.com.hk

Attention Beneficiary

I AM SORRY
TO TELL YOU IF THIS IT'S NOT TRUE. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL
FROM MR.JAMES KELLER,HE CALLED US YESTERDAY WITH THIS TELEPHONE
NUMBER:8668623150
INFORMING ME THAT YOU ARE DEAD AND HE SAID THAT I SHOULD SEND HIM YOUR FUND
TO HIS HOME ADDRESS: 1011 S 7TH ST. WATERTOWN, WI
53094, USA, BECAUSE HE IS YOUR NEXT OF KIN
BENEFICIARY TO YOU, AND HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT YOU INSTRUCTED HIM TO CLAIM YOUR
PROPERTIES INCLUDING YOUR MONEY IN CASE BECAUSE YOU ARE NO MORE TO BE FOUND ON
EARTH.

I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE KNOW MORE TO BE FOUND ON
EARTH AND I DONT KNOW THAT THIS IS THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE NOT REPLY THE EMAILS
I SENT TO YOU REGADING THE TRANSFERRING OF YOUR FUND.THIS IS MY PROMISE TO YOU
THAT I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FUND IS
BE TRANSFER TO HIM AS YOUR NEXT OF KIN BENEFICIAL TO YOU MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN
PERFECT PEACE AND MAY GOD GRATE YOU INTERNAL LIFE ON THE LAST DAY TO COME I AM
VERY VERY SORRY.

HE DID ALSO SAID HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO SPEND SOME MONEY TO GET
THE FUND BECAUSE YOU TOLD HIM SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND I SHOULD LET HIM KNOW THE
COST,I
TOLD HE TO HOLD ON AND LET ME VERIFY IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT BECUASE IAM CONFUSED
NOW ABOUT THIS CLAIMS'YOU ARE ADVICE TO SEND YOUR ADDRESS TO ENABLE ME PROCEED
ON YOUR TRANSFER IF THIS IS NOT TRUE BUTFOR YOUR INFROMATION YOU ARE TO PAY FOR
THE RENEWAL OF YOUR PAYMENT FILE FEE OF YOUR FUND,   WHICH THE IF
IT IS TRUE THAT YOU ARE STILL ALIVE.,

ALSO HE TOLD US
THAT YOU GIVE HIM THE $185 TO SEND TO RECEIVE THE PAYMEN.YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT IF
WE DID NOT HEAR FROM YOU IN NEXT 3DAYS WITH THE PAYMENT INFORMATION OF $185 I
WILL RELEASE YOUR PAYMENT TO THEM.

So be advice to go to any western union agent to send the total sum of
$185 to us with this information below so that we can proceed for the transfer
of your fund.

Receives Name:.......Emmanuel Udezue
City: Cotonou
Country:
Benin Republic
Test Question: A
Answer:..... B
Amount:
$185

THESE ARE
YOUR FUNERAL PICTURES HE SUBMITTED TO ME AS THE FINAL CEREMONY OF YOUR
BURIAL

YOUR URGENT RESPOND IS HIGHLY NEEDED.AND REMEMBER
TO CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU RECEIVE THIS MAIL REGARD SIMEON MIRACLE.
+229-98-21-12-97
        Regards
Mr Richard
Benson
western union Director TEL
PHONE:+229-98-21-12-97

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