419 scam: "Mr.Femi"<test@hl99.com> Attention: Beneficiary

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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.
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.
- westernunionpaymentcenter255@yahoo.com.vn (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Femi" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wupcoffice@yahoo.com.vn>
Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:57:13 -0700
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary

Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Cotonou Benin.
ADDRES: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Website: http://www.westernunion.com

Dear Costumer Email alert:

This is to inform you that Benin Government in conjunction with Global Economic Recovery programs (GERP) and Economic Community of West-African States (ECOWAS)has instructed to transfer the sum of USD$10,500,000.00 for compensating the SCAM VICTIMS and your email was found as one of the VICTIMS by Finanacial security leading team, for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving is $5000 USD per day till your total funds USD$10,500,000.00 USD is complete transferred to you and we have been strongly mandated to send you the first payment of $5000USD today through our payment center here before we find out that your payment file need to renew and reconfirm from world Bank central system.

listed bellow is your first payment of $5000usd sent in your name today,but you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$105.00 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System here in Benin.

Sender's first name : Randall
Sender's last name : Miller
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) : 4359021715
Amount Transferred: $5000 USD
Text Question: What For?
Answer: My Payment

So if you want to track the money and confirm if the funds is transferred enter our website
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global then click tracking and enter the mtcn number:...4359021715 Enter senders first name:..... Randall ..... Enter senders last name:..... Miller and click tracking and it will show you that your funds is available for you to pick it up.

You are advised to urgently send us the $105.00usd to enable us proceed to renew and reconfirm your payment file from the world Bank central SYSTEM .Send the $105 directly with the name as stated below via western union to enable us pick it from our department here and reconfirm your payment file approval from the world Bank central System and commerce your daily payment immediately.

I repeat again, you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US$105 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file through the World Bank Central System in Benin Republic.

Receiver Name: IKECHUKWU ONOCHIE
Country: Benin Republic,
City: Cotonou
Text Question: Very Urgent?
Answer: Today.
Amount: $105 usd
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is needed and sender's name

Finally, Note This payment you are receiving is risk free and we the western union headquarters has agree to start sending you the payment immediately you meet up with our demand in this latter.But after 3days you did not reply stand the risk of cancel your payment and have it return back to government

Yours respectfully,
Mr.Femi Lazak.
Email: westernunionpaymentcenter255@yahoo.com.vn

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam