419 scam: "Mr. James Godwill" < union1913@outlook.com> NOTIFICATION FROM WESTERN UNION MONEY 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. )
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- +22968946175 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. James Godwill" < union1913@outlook.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. James Godwill" <western_union1913@outlook.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2018 05:41:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: NOTIFICATION FROM WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS BP 87 KANDI Centre Ville Bp 87 Kandi
WEB SITE.WWW.WESTERNUNION.COM
DIRECTOR
(Dr.Peter Cooper.) OFFICER INCHARGE
TELL: (+1765) 249-1563

Good day.

We wish to acknowledge the receipt of your mail data information sent as per instruction since few days now of releasing your payment valued of (5.5 Million)

This morning we have finalized in sending your funds right now as instructed to my office, bank has effected your first two payment each of $6,000 dollars each through our western union now and is ready to release to you.

The first payment of your fund made out today with information below and the payment is available to pick up once you pay the 100 pd for Legality Clearance

Paper of your fund and it will serve as re-confirmation of your payment file in our office. to enable you receive your fund in any nearest western union without any problem

We trying deducting the fee from your payment but we are not permitted to do so by Ministry of the finance for security reasons .This was the delay since

morning

Here the information of the payment: MTCN:2188632113 ,available to receive by you but you cannot pick it up now till we Release Order of Payment to reflect

in your country to pick it up.In order to finalize this you are required as matter of urgent to go ahead and send 100 pd for Legality Clearance, once you made you can be able to pick up your payment today.

the payment fee this enable to obtain the Legality Clearance Paper of your funds as beneficiary this to enable this western Union to release order of your

payment today to enable you pick it up daily through any nearest Western Union in your Location of your choice as instructed without any problem.

In order to confirm this

Here is the new details for your first payment today.

SENDER'S NAME:......ROMAIN ANIMAKA
MTCN:.........2188632113

AMOUNT SENT:......$5,000.00

To confirm this

TRACK NOW WITH THIS OUR BELOW WEB :

https://www.westernunion.com/ us/en/self-service/app/ tracktransfer

Therefore, you are required as urgent by this Department to send ($100) now for your fund Clearance Paper of your fund .We wait on this to receive payment to

release order of your funds to receive the payment $6,000 today and by tomorrow this bank will send you another payment till you receive your total funds.

Here the information to send the fee ($100 through Western Union or MoneyGram with the name of our staff and address below as soon as you receive this

message for urgent of releasing your first two payment $6,000 today:

RECEIVER NAME:...................... EMMA OBU
COUNTRY:.......... Republic of Benin.
CITY :............... Cotonou.
TEXT QUESTION:..................... .How Long
TEXT ANSWER:......Soonest
AMOUNT:....................... #100. Only

Be informed this is 100% legit ,you are advice to comply immediately so that you will have your first payment today.As soon as you send it ,please notify my

office and kindly wait behind In less than 30mins we confirm the payment you will start receiving your fund in your western union location .Remember without

our Release Order you will not pick up your money..
Thank

Your urgent compliance is highly needed.
DO'NT HESITATE TO CALL US: +22968946175,IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ESQUIRE .
Thank

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam