419 scam: "Dr Robert Bischoff"<westernunionhkonlineoffice@yahoo.com.au> READY TO PICK UP:MTCN:.....865-519-6501

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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.
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.
- wurobertbis@yahoo.com.au (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Robert Bischoff" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <wurobertbis@yahoo.com.au>
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2015 23:41:49 +0100
Subject: READY TO PICK UP:MTCN:.....865-519-6501

ATTENTION,

Be informed that the sum of Three thousand Five Hundred dollars ($3,500.00 USD) has already been sent to you via our WESTERN UNION Money Transfer office as we have been given the mandate to your full overdue payment, a total sum of $2Million USD, via the western union by the Ministry of Finance.

I tried contacting you to give you the necessary information to enable you pick up your funds but I couldn't get through yesterday, so I decided to email you the MTCN and sender’s name so that you can pick up the $3,500.00 to enable us send another $3,500.00 by tomorrow.

As you know already we will be sending you $3,500.00 only per day. And it was agreed that you are to pay the clearance certificate charges a total sum of $155 before you are enabled to pick up your first payment, do take note of this, that you are to pay the $155 before picking up your first payment.

Go to any western union office in your locality to pick up the $3,500.00 which is currently active and endeavor to call me as soon as you get this mail as the only Operation Manager in charge of your payment, and I will send you another payment tomorrow once you pick up the first one, $3,500.00 USD today.

Below is the western union information to pick up the $3,500.00 USD; which you will be receiving daily after you send the transfer clearance certificate charges of $55 and it will serve as re-confirmation of your payment file in this office.

NOTE: That you cannot pick up these funds if the transfer clearance certificate charges is not paid.

1.SENDER NAME:.DAVID KECK
2.TEST QUESTION:....4HRS
3.TEST ANSWER:......TIME.
4.AMOUNT ..........$3,500.00 USD
5.MTCN:.....865-519-6501

Click this link: https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderstatus.asp?country=global
track it and be sure ok.I will be waiting to hear from you with the transfer clearance certificate payment of $155 today, and you are to make use the information below to send the transfer charges today.

RECEIVER: IFEANY MARTINS I.
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
CITY: LAGOS
QUESTION: TODAY?
ANSWER: YES
AMOUNT; $155 USA

Be advised that the $155 USD transfer clearance certificate is compulsory as I was told, that is the only fee to be paid before you can receive your payment completely. Endeavor to E-mail your direct contact and telephone number+234-1-820-6158

Regards
DR BISCHOFF ROBERT.
EMAIL ADDRESS (wurobertbis@yahoo.com.au)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam