419 scam: "Western Union Money Transfer"<test@mild.ocn.ne.jp> Good News From Western Union Payment Office

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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. )
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Money Transfer" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunion.payment@cantv.net>
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:39:09 -0100
Subject: Good News From Western Union Payment Office

*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(r) Pro*

Attn Beneficiary,

Do re-confirm your information as your grant funds will be transferred via Western Union Money Transfer only, In accordance to the engagement agreement with the various Ministries involved which we were clearly warned not to tamper with your fund and no deduction for what ever reason, stating that it is a measure to safe guard the fund of the beneficiaries from embezzlement and misdirection.

The Western Union here in Benin Republic has limited transfer rate because of International communities and Anti-Terrorist/Drug Law so, we are permitted to transfer $5000.00 daily until your total payment is completed but will can still send more than if you will provide to us more than one name.

In other words. We have today transferred your first instalment payment available for your pick up at any western union office nearest to you, but still on hold due to the unpaid endorsement & activation file fee amount of $65.00 you are suppose to pay before your daily transfer will be made available for you to pick up on daily basis. You will pickup the bellow installment at any western union office nearest to you with bellow information's as soon as you send the needed $65.00 endorsement & daily activation file fee. You can to track your first instalment payment online at www.westernunion.com for your record purpose.

The Payment MTCN is available below for your tracking and confirmation on our official Website:

MTCN#: 6690348967
Sender's First Name: Azubike
Sender's Last name: Nnekwe

Text Question: Code?
Answer: ??
Amount Programmed: $5000.00 USd
(Track the MTCN: 3959794510 by dialing 1-800-325-6000 or
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global )
Click here : https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

We shall release to you, the Text Question and Text Answer upon the receipt of the official charges which will authenticate the legitimacy of your fund. Please do not border to go for picking up the money without the payment of the required $65.00 endorsement & activation file fee because the funds is still on hold and you can not pick up the money.

You have to send the needed money to us immediately with the below information to enable us release your first payment of $5,000.00. Send the money $65.00 with the giving information.

Receivers Name: ---------------------------- Mrs. Okolo Kingsley
Receivers Address: ------------------------- Benin Republic
Receiver City: ---------------------------------- Cotonou
Text Question: -------------------------------------- Time
Text Answer: ------------------------------------------ Date
Amount: ------------------------------------------------- $65.00USD only.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Faithfully

Mr. Onwuegbu Jiaja

Senior Management - WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
BRANCH: PLOT 117 JEAN PAUL AVENUE
Tel/Fax: (00229) 976 191 26
BENIN REPUBLIC
Email: westernunion.payment@cantv.net
Website: www.westernunion.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam