419 scam: "WESTERN UNION" <info@westernunion.com> (no subject)

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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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
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.
- +447045719930 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "WESTERN UNION" <info@westernunion.com>
Reply-To: western.union.foundation@hotmail.de
Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2012 04:51:30 -0500 (CDT)
Subject:

THE WESTERN UNION FOUNDATION (UK) Ltd Registered Office:
Address: 200 Hammersmith Rd London W6 DO ,UK
Department: Public Relations
====================
PROMOTION AWARENESS
REF NO: 245/0090/12
BATCH: 2012/wumt/393
====================

In reference to a fax message file received in our Payment office.
We have received acknowledgement forwarded by the British regional
Head-Quarter for the immediate payment arrangement for a financial
grant ordered by the Board of Director as one of the
recipients to benefit from the sum of Five hundred Thousand United
States Dollars ($500,000.00 USD),This benefit that has been given
to you is part of our customers valued added services, this
services is to aid esteem customers who had participated in
government services and N.G.O programs, this grant also aid
financial difficulties, bankruptcy, lost of investments or jobs as
a result of the economic meltdown. Western Union Foundation and its
affiliates had open this program to give a helping hand in solving
the present financial Meltdown cause by some global Crisis.

Western Union Foundation is now focus on giving financial aid/grant to
customers due to the present global Crisis. This is part of our
customer value added services and this is done through our agents
World Wide , Western Union foundation has today donated millions
United States Dollars World Wide, Western Union Company is a leader
in global money transfer services, Together with its affiliates,
Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as assistance
to send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a
combined network of more than 365,000 Agent locations in over 200
countries and territories. Western Union Foundation gives customer
the resources to aid their financial state. Since 1997, Western Union
Foundation has contributed to improve the lives of thousands of people
world wide and organizations with noble causes,

Western Union Foundation is a public organization and beneficiary are
selected without any criteria, You are required to contact the desk of
the Executive Officer (Mr. Adams Johnson) with the information stated
below for processing.

First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Age:
City:
State:
Country:
Occupation:
Zip/Postal Code:
Residential address:
Telephone number:
Alternative Email:

Adams Johnson
+4470457 19930
Executive Officer
Western Union Foundation 2012®
All Rights Reserved, Terms and Condition

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam