419 scam: Barrister James Barron <barristerjames@yahoo.cn> Dear Western Union Customer!

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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "united state of america" (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lagos" (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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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 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.
- western_union90@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister James Barron <barristerjames@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: western_union90@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:20:47 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Dear Western Union Customer!

SEND MONEY WORLDWIDE:
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY
TRANSFER.

Welcome
to Western Union

Dear Western Union
Customer!

This is the second
message to you, There is presently A counter claims on your funds, This is the
message forwarded to my office today by two gentle men , one of them is a
Canadian citizen and his name is Mr. Gilbert Mouse by name while the other
person is Mr Randy G. Bacome, by name from United State of America
citizen.

These gentle men claimed to be the representative of your
company, and they came with letter of attorney,this power of attorney stated
that you are dead last week that is why we did not hear from you for some time
now. They stated that your FUND value of $250,000.00 USD is now under them but
the reason why they are writing to us is only to know how much needed so that
they can pay it and also want you to do change of
ownership.

I did nothing rather
than to hold because i don' t want you to lose these fund then i disagreed with
their letter until confirmed from you, You are therefore given 24hrs to confirm
the truth in this information if you still alive.Be informed that any further
delay from your side could be dangerous, as we would not be held responsible
of wrong payment.

Below is the burial
picture brought in confirmation that you are
dead.

We Shall Proceed To Issue
All Payments Details To The Said Mr. Gilbert .If We Do Not Hear From You Within
The Next of 24hr that means what their said is truth, But if what she said is false please do get back to us and also be inform that you will be required to
pay the sum of $105usd charge fee and the stamp duty fee cost you only the sum
of $105 usd so that any other one or any co-operation come down here to claim
your fund again will be in jail..

Here is the
information to make the payment through western union money transfer
below:

Receiver first name: Ifeanyi Amalu
City: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Test: Colour
Answer: White

Amount:::::::::::::::$105.00

I am looking forward to
hear from you right now and know what is holding you not to make the payment as
you said because I hate any thing promise and fail please if you still need the
sum of $6,000 payment each day.OR you receive ATM MASTER CARD of $250,000.00
usd. I advise you to send the money immediately and you get back to me with
payment information.

Here is your first payment $6,000usd??????

https://www.westernunion.co.uk/WUCOMWEB/transferStatusAction.do?method=load&nextSecurePage=Y

Money Transfer Control Number: 1773930291
Transfer Status: Not Activated
Senders First Name: Folkard
Senders
Last Name: Hegelau

Sender's
Address: Lagos - Nigerria
Amount Transferred: $6,000

I am waiting to hear from you once again with good
news as you can see that i am very happy now.

God bless you.
Barrister James Barron,
Contact email: western_union90@hotmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam