419 scam: Western Union Office <geonali1051@verizon.net> Attention Beneficiary,

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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:
- "stamp duty" (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. )
- "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. )
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.
- +22921313701 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- dhlcompany1962@mail.ru (Mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Office <geonali1051@verizon.net>
Reply-To: dhlcompany1962@mail.ru
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:02:34 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attention Beneficiary,

Dear Esteemed Customer,

It is my humble obligation to write you this letter as regards the authorization of your owed payment through our most respected financial institution (Western Union Money Transfer).

This is an official notice to inform you that Federal Government of Benin wanted to cancel your payment of US$2.5million due to your delay and inability to fulfill obligations given to you. However, in my concerted efforts to actualize your fund payment with the convenient time schedule I have configured your US$2.5million into an ATM master card.

Now more payment options are available than ever before! You will receive this US$2.5million in a UNIVERSAL /Western Union ATM CARD. With our ATM services, you have easy access to your money anywhere you go.

I wish to inform you that we have concluded the delivery arrangement of your ATM with a reputable and responsible company, who is ready to deliver it to your door step within 48hrs and the ATM has been registered with Dhl for onward deliver.

Please write down your real and correct name and shipping address, including the postal code and your phone number carefully and completely to avoid wrong delivery. Dhl will not be responsible for those unsuccessfully delivery caused by the incorrect customer name and shipping address. Kindly forward the information to:

Mr.George Eldorado (logistics manager)
Tel: 00 229 98330282, FAX: 00229-21313701
E-mail: dhlcompany1962@mail.ru

Your Full Name ===============

Your Home Address=============

Your corrent Numbers==========

Your Cel Numbers==============

You personal adentification===

It very important: Due to the content of the package, DHL mandated that before your package will be shipped, A Tax/Stamp Duty MUST be procured according to the New Customs Creed and the essence of such Document is to ensure ahitch-free delivery and the amount is ($95.00) therefore reconfirm your current delivery address

Dhl is trying the best to provide the safest and fastest shipment for you. Dhl usually ship out the order to your given address in 1 - 2 business days, at the same time, they will email invoice to you with the tracking number, you can tracking your order online in 48 hours since you received it .

We strongly recommend the delivery via Dhl, because it is the safest way to pass the customs in most of the countries in the world,

Besides, This card can be used to obtain cash throughout the country at any of the hundreds of thousands of ATMs in the MAC and PLUS networks.

The new ATM Card payout option is the latest in a series of innovative service enhancements designed to improve the speed and ease of money transfer transactions for both customers and agents, local and international level.

Accepted at over 900,000 ATMs, in over 210 countries.

Sincerely,

Mr. Khalid FELLAHI
Regional Vice President Africa of Western Union

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam