419 scam: "FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE"<jamalexiss2009@gmail.com> WESTERN UNION PROMO LOTTERY 2010

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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. )
- "processing fee" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "western_dapt1@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +22999356373 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernunionpaymentoffice02@mail.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 11:40:17 +0100
Subject: WESTERN UNION PROMO LOTTERY 2010

WESTERN UNION PROMO LOTTERY 2010

Your email address has been selected in the on-going Western Union Online Email promo Lottery held on 6th DEC2010 at West African Regional Head Quarter in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

We the Western Union Regional board are pleased to inform you that your Email address alongside (50) other lucky winners have been approved for a payment of ($1,200,000 dollars). If you receive this email, it means your Email address is one of the (50) lucky winners and your verification number is: (WU-WA/908308/2010).

Your winnings are to be paid through Western Union on daily transfers of $5,000 till the total of your winnings $1,200,000:00 is confirmed by you. As a matter of fact, the first payment has been programmed in our system but this transfer has no recipient name and location until we received the below listed requirements. As a matter of fact, this transfer can only be tracked online but cannot be accessed or picked through any Western Union Agent until it is fixed on your name and location. You are therefore, advised to forward the following information.

1. Full Name:
2. Full Address:
3. Marital Status:
4. Occupation:
5. Age:
6. Sex:
7. Nationality:
8. Country Of Residence:
9. Telephone Number:

Note that you should be expecting to send along with the above listed information a payment processing fee of $125. Send it through Western Union on our cashier name as provided below

Name: John Nnekeodikpo
Country: Benin Republic
City: Cotonou
Text Question: honest
Answer: trust

In order to avoid scam, note that this payment processing fee is the only financial requirement which you will be demanded from you before receiving your winnings. Therefore, BEWARE OF SCAMMERS.

The West African Western Union Board Congratulates you as you are directed to the 2010 Promo Lottery payment master on the below information.
Telephone: +229-993-563-73
( western_dapt1@w.cn )
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Mike Agbunaonu
Manager,

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam