419 scam: Mr Robert Williams <debtfille@gmail.com> Federal Minister Finance Republic of Benin Western Union Payments

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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.)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: Mr Robert Williams <debtfille@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Mr Robert Williams <foffice71@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2015 00:28:21 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Federal Minister Finance Republic of Benin Western Union Payments

Attention;Customer

How are you, We are here to informed you that this honourable western union office are here to send you your first payment of $5,000 dollars. And in the light of above, I am here to notify you that your first payment of $5,000 dollars,has been dully programmed on the outgoing remittance diskette for onward wired to your designated address today.

Note: All the nesassary fee requested by this western union Headquarter has been paid this morning by the manager of this western union And there are (three) Documents as they secure on your behalf which you may even tender to any authority in your country that may ask any question concerning the source of your fund. Meanwhile the only money you are requird to send to this western union office immediately is $59 dollars only, just to sign the three document from benin high court and i will start sending your fund to you.

As it stand now,i advise you to go ahead and send the $59 dollars as quickly as you receive this message to enable this honourable western union office made sucessefull payment to your address today and also forward a copy of the western union payment slip to you for confirmation showing that your first payment of $5,000 dollars is there for you to pick it up. Make the payment below to this name but be rest assured that you will receive your payment today,And if we mistakely fail to do as instructed by Benin government, this western union branch will be persecuted according to the law.

Recivers Name ....LARRY NGENE
Reciver Country .... Benin Republic
City .... Cotonou
Text ...... Honest
Answer ..... Trust
Total Amount .... $59 dollars.

I look forward to your urgent and poistive response.Forward the western union information immediately after the payment to this our email centre and your address where you will like to receive your $5,000 dollars
Yours in service.
Mr Robert Williams
Federal Minister Finance Republic of Benin Western Union Payments

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam