419 scam: "Mr. Mike Christopher" <mikech4581@yahoo.co.jp> Welcome to Western Union

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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:

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. )
- "million us dollars" (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)
- "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.
- mikech4581@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Mike Christopher" <mikech4581@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2020 16:22:15 +0200
Subject: Welcome to Western Union

Attention

Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer Agent, We wish to
inform you that the IMF have release your fund sum of $4,8
million US dollars issued on your name the money was
deposited with us in this Office as MTCN credit card, we
shall be sending the money to you everyday $5000.00usd until
we complete the total payment.

We are very glad to inform you that we have processed your
first payment of $5000.00usd, but bare it in mind that the
$5000.00usd will not be paid to you except you pay for
service charges which is $285.00, you have to pay the money
through our service western union to the information we give
you here, then after confirm the payment of $285.00 from
you, we shall release your first $5000.00usd to enable you
pick it up and get back to us for the second payment,As you
can see here is the MTCN Number of your first payment which
we credited for you today, track it with our website:
www.westernunion.com, to confirm that your payment is
available.

1)Senders Name:: HAPPY OBI
2)MTCN Number::: 7298423178
3)Amount::: $5000.00 USD.

Track it with our website:
https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=CN

Note that on your reply this massage make sure you send the
full information Remember that the full details you can use
to pick up this first payment will be send to you once we
receive the transfer charge of $285.00, You have to treat
urgent by reconfirming your full information to us
immediately you receive this massage to enable us start the
process of your payment immediately.

1.Your Full Name...
2.Your Address...
3.Your Tel Number....
4.Occupation.......
5.Country....
6.City.........
7.Age..........

These are the information about your money, you can go to
any western union to pick up the money, don't forget that
you have to settle for the transfer charge before we can
give the full information of your first payment of $5000.00
usd we waiting to receive the above information from your so
that we can direct you where to send the transfer charge of
$285.00 which is only delay now, Kindly use this information
to send the transfer charge.

Receiver Name:
Country: Nigeria
City: Lagos
Test Question: Thank
Test Answer: God
Amount to send: $285.00.
Senders Name:.....?
Mtcn Number:......?

We looks forward to receive the transfer charge together
with your full information, to enable us release this first
$5000.00usd for you to pick it up and get back to us for the
second payment ok.

Please let us know as soon as you are ready to pay your fund
transfer charge so that we send the Receivers Name to avoid
giving a name that may be out of office when you are ready
to make your fund transfer fee payment.

Yours in service
Mr.Mike Christopher
Western Union Manager
E-Mail: mikech4581@yahoo.co.jp

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam