419 scam: "LOUIS" <luios@westernunion.com> 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:

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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "my direct line" (a "direct line" in a scam usually means an untraceable mobile phone number used by a scammer in an internet cafe, a redirection service number that forwards to a mobile or a free voicemailbox in a different country.)
- "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 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.
- +2348036728698 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "LOUIS" <luios@westernunion.com>
Reply-To: petermcwealth975@yahoo.com.hk
Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:21:27 -0300 (BRT)
Subject: Welcome to Western Union

--
Welcome to Western UnionPhone; + 2348036728698
Send Money Worldwide
Send Money

Attn; Receipient,
Please be informed that the funds are coming directly from the
International Monetary Funds headquarters and we are only to pay
beneficiaries once they meet their financial obligations.

Also note that Western Union is not allowed to make all payment at once
via western union money transfer due to the way the fund came to our
headquarters and for security reasons, upon receipt of your fees and your
International Remittance File purchased, you are receiving a first pay-out
of $10,000 which is made into two halves which will enable you walk into
any Western Union office of your choice and pick up your funds.

Note that the remaining fund/payment will be made install mentally in the
following order:
1. $10,000 made payable to you from the Western Union
2. $974,000 made payable to you via bank wire transfer from our designated
paying bank.
Upon receipt of the fee for the purchasing of your international
remittance file, you are receiving your first pay-out of $10,000.According
to the Section 636(1) of the LPN CAF of the 1999 constitution regarding a
contract like you will have to make the payment of the $165usd so as to
enable the purchasing of your inheritance file to prevent illegal transfer
of your funds or any form of hindrance.

Here are details of your money transfer of $10,000 made on your behalf but
it has no receiver's name yet until you remit the $165.00 to us before we
can purchase the inheritance file with your name and put your name as the
receiver below is the information you will use to send us the fee $165.00
Via western union.

RECEIVER NAME IS NKEN SANDRA NWOSISI
COUNTRY IS NIGERIA
CITY IS LAGOS
TEXT QUESTION IS TRANSFER CODE
ANSWER IS 001

Then after you send the money you can send the payment information to our
email below.
Mr.LOUIS ROMAN
E-Mail:(davidmark35@hotmail )
Direct line +2348036728698

As soon as we receive the payment of the $165.00 from you then we pick it
up we well put your name as the receive and you will go to western union
and pick the money.

PAYMENT DETAILS MADE FOR YOUR CONFIRMATION!!!

MTCN:-------0082-314-950
Amount:------- $5,000 USD

Amount:$5,000 USD
MTCN:405-313-5440

Sender`s first name and Sender's last name will be given to you once you
send the fee to enable you go and pick your transfer at your end.

You can log onto our website www.westernunion.com and track your transfer
andsee that your money is there but needed the above stated fee to
redirect the transfer to you for your easy pick up. Note that within 72hrs
if you do not re mit the required $165.00 which has already been made
($10,000)It will be withdrawn back and remember that the money details
given to you does not bear your name as the receiver until you make the
payment of the $165.00

Get back to us with our E-Mail:( davidmark35@hotmail ) with the payment
information one you made the payment and you can call on my direct line if
you have any question OK.
Call for confirmation of receipt of this message on :+2348036728698

REGARDS
MR LOUIS DAVID
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam