419 scam: "Western Union" <info@westernunion.com> (no subject)

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
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.
- westernunion.accountsunit@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union" <info@westernunion.com>
Reply-To: westernunion.accountsunit@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:49:15 +0200 (EET)
Subject:

Western Union Foundation
P.O.Box 8252,London,W6 Obr,UK
Customer Service/Claims Department
REF NO: 245/0090/09
BATCH: 2011/wumt/393

=======================================================
This is to officially inform you that you have been given a financial
grant by the Board of Director as one of our final recipients to benefit
the sum of Five hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($500,000.00
USD),This benefit is given to you as part of our customers valued added
services, This services is to aid our esteem customers who have been
bankrupt or have financial difficulties,lost their investment/jobs as a
result of the global meltdown caused by the Global Financial Crisis.

Western Union Foundation gives customer the resources to aid their
financial state. Since 1997, Western Union Foundation has contributed to
improve the lives of thousands of customers world wide,and organizations
with noble causes.While creating awareness of some of society's most
serious problems like HIV/AIDS awareness campaign,Western Union
Foundation builds and implements public-private partnerships to address
the worlds most pressing problems that has been caused by the present
Global Economic Meltdown through its advocacy and public outreach
programs with the main objective of finding solution to this
problems.Western Union Foundation was established in 1997,with the main
objective of empowering and aiding customers, assisting poor
country,communities ,co-organization and N.G.O by providing financial
grants through its opportunity programs.

Western Union Foundation Will not be responsible if this transaction is
disqualified as a result of double claims or applications please be
warned.You are been strongly advised to please keep this notification
mail,REF#, BATCH# and this transaction safe and confidential,This is to
avoid double claims of your Grant funds.

NOTE: You are required to contact the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for
documentation and processing of your claims via this mail:
westernunion.accountsunit@gmail.com with the following informations
below.

First Name:
Surname:
Sex:
Age:
Occupation:
Telephone No:
Address:
Country:

Sincerely
Western Union Foundation President **Luella Chavez D Angelo** and Chairman
**David Schlapbach**
Email:westernunion.accountsunit@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam