419 scam: "Mr. Dina` Raphael" <westernunionoffice427@yahoo.cn> Dear 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:
- "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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
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 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.
- westernunionoffice935@yahoo.es (Yahoo, Spain; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Dina` Raphael" <westernunionoffice427@yahoo.cn>
Reply-To: westernunionoffice935@yahoo.es
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 19:16:23 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Dear Customer,

Western Union Payment
Center.
Wusih Zone 6, Porto-Novo FCT.
Â 24
hours banking service.Â
Â Â
Dear Customer,
Â
This is to report to
you that our Western Union Bureau have received a correspondence from the
Federal High Court as cancellation notice for your funds transfer to be deleted
from foreign payment file . The Western Union Management desires to inform you
that your funds transfer with us has been programmed among the five (5)
transactions that would face cancellation soon.
Â
Â We have waited long
time enough for you to fulfill the required obligations and claim the funds like
other beneficiaries that have claimed their funds before November
ending this year but nothing comes up from you as indication
from the funds owner.
Â
The Management of this Western UnionÂ held an
urgent meeting in my office today, regards to the transferring of your funds by
Western Union and they have asked my office to submit all the paper works and
files containing your funds confidentiality but I refused and asked the board
members to give me from now till 2days time so that I consult you personally for
you to declear your interest on the funds transfer.
Â
Further more, you
are advised to reply to this email after reading, and feel free to tell us why
you abandoned such huge amount here. Let us know if you are no longer interested
to complete your transaction.
Finally, if you still have the interest of being paid your funds by
Western Union Money Transfer; you should kindly forward your receiverâ€™s name and
address including your phone number immediately
.
I am looking forward to
your positive cooperation fairly soon.
Best Regards.
Â
Mr. Dina`
Raphael.
Western Union
westernunionoffice935@yahoo.es

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam