419 scam: "Western Union®"<alerts@westernunion.co.com> Call 00229 6804 8239 To Claim Your Payment Now

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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. )
- "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.
- +22968048239 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union®" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunionbn@mail.kz>
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2012 03:34:20 -0700
Subject: Call 00229 6804 8239 To Claim Your Payment Now

Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide,
Email: westernunionbn@mail.kz
Phone: 00229 6804 8239

Attention: Customer,

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL & URGENT

As a result of the executive financial summit meeting held yesterday, this is to bring to your notice that Western Union has been delegated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for payments as approved by the United Nations and President of Republic of Benin to pay 77 unpaid victims $1,200,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) each in respect of your Award/ Contract/ Inheritance Payment. You are listed and approved for these payments as one of the beneficiaries.

All arrangement has been made for the western union central office in Benin republic to be sending you $5,000.00 USD twice everyday via Western Union Money Transfer; this will continue till you receive the last amount from them.

You are hereby advised to contact our Operation Manager Mr. Morris Butego for the guidelines you need to complete your claim process and pick up today's $5,000.00 USD immediately.

Kindly provide the details below for your daily payments.

CLAIMS REQUIREMENTS:

1. Full Name:
2. Address:
3. Country:
4. Phone:

We believe in your right to privacy. Your information is 100% secure and protected and will be used exclusively for the purpose of these claims only.

Find below your first payment information:
Sender First Name.....James
Sender Last Name..............Eyora
MTCN .........1536432755
Amount: = (US$5,000.00)

COPY AND PASTE THE BELOW LINK ON YOUR BROWSER FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TRANSFER STATUS.

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=BJ

Note: Mr. Morris Butego will clear your first $5,000.00USD payment for you once you email or call him after fulfilling all claims obligation.

Email: westernunionbn@mail.kz
Phone: 00229 6804 8239

Thank you and congratulations.

Yours,

Customer Care

*************************************************************************************
This Email may show as spam in your mailbox, but do not delete as you are a legitimate E-mail recipient. Contact the Claims Administrator with all your claims requirements well filled

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam