419 scam: WESTERN UNION <".westernmoney."@mbe.ocn.ne.jp> Re: WU TRANSFER

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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. )
- "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. )
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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22963409994 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- westernuniondept002017@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <".westernmoney."@mbe.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: WESTERN UNION <mcparker1958@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2017 08:45:38 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Re: WU TRANSFER

Attention Dear Customer;

This is to inform you that the International Monetary Office has instructed us to transfer your fund worth a total of $950,000,00 USD compensation to all SCAM VICTIMS around the world and your email address was found as one of the VICTIMS.

The IMF security leading team and America representative have instructed that between now till 1th of March 2018 you will be receiving a sum of $4,500 dollars daily through Western Union.

However be informed that we have already sent the $4,500 dollars this morning to avoid cancellation of your payment, remaining the total sum of $945,500,00 USD.

You have only 12 hours to call this office upon the receipt of this email the maximum amount you will be receiving every day starting from today is $4,500 in three different payments and the Money Transfer Control Number of today is as below.

NOTE; The send $4,500 is on hold because of the instruction from IMF office, they asked us to place it on hold by requesting the Clean Bill Record Certificate in order to fulfill all the necessary obligation so that we will start sending you the payment through Western Union money transfer system.

Below is the information of today but you cannot pick it due to the fact that you haven$B!G(Bt obtained your clean bill record certificate.

Sender Name: Grace Little

MTCN: 1209077039

Amount: $4,500

we need the below details from you, to enable us to obtain the Clean Bill Record Certificate.

Your full names:
Country:
Home Address:
Occupation and Age:
Mobile phone number:

Furthermore you are advised to call us as the instruction was passed that within 12 hours without hearing from you, count your payment canceled.

Kindly contact us with the below details.

Mr. Parker McCarthy
Email: westernuniondept002017@yahoo.com
Phone: +229 63409994

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam