419 scam: WESTERN UNION MANAGEMENT <gasoffice@adinet.com.uy> SPECIAL BONUS

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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. )
- "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)
- "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.
- mr.haraldphilip@yahoo.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION MANAGEMENT <gasoffice@adinet.com.uy>
Reply-To: mr.haraldphilip@yahoo.fr
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:19:56 +0100
Subject: SPECIAL BONUS

Dear: Friend.

This is to notify all our customers about the latest development
concerning all the payment that are left in our custody,which yours
are inclusive.You where given a bill of $137.00usd, in order to
receive your payment of which we didn't hear from you for sometime
now.

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a SPECIAL BONUS to help all
our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to
prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should
pay only the sum of $75. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in
our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you reclaim your
abandoned fund and this fund will be transferred to your address
immediately we confirm this $75.00usd. But remember that after ( 3DAYS
) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to
Government Fund, to avoid problem and cancel the payment.

So be advise to send the $75.00 immediately so that we will register
your payment and for you to start receive $5000.00 as from tomorrow.
Be advise that there is no time again for us to call any person on
phone unless you will call . After the payment of $75.00 you will
start receiving your money every day $5000.00 through Western Union
Money Transfer until the full payment of $800,000.00 is completely
transferred to your name. So what you will be receiving per day is
$5000.00usd.Now Contact us here with your full information your
Full Names:
Your Address:
Your Phone Number:
Contact person: Mr.Harald Philip
E-mail : ( mr.haraldphilip@yahoo.fr )

Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the
information below:

RECEIVER NAME=== Anthony Obieluo
COUNTRY==== Benin.
City======== Cotonou,
Text Question=== Honest
Answer==== Trust.
Amount=====$75.USD
Mtcn Number======

The moment we receive the payment of $75.00 we will release the first
payment information of $5000 for you and you will pick up the money
and i will send you another money tomorrow.It's continuous process.

Hoping to hear from you.

BEST REGARDS,
WESTERN UNION MANAGEMENT.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam