419 scam: "Mrs. Esther Sawadogo" <o251421o@live.fr> From Western Union Money Transfer,

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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. )
- "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 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.
- +22997373889 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Esther Sawadogo" <o251421o@live.fr>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 11:12:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: From Western Union Money Transfer,

>From Western Union Money Transfer,
Attention To You Personally:

Are you ready to pick up this $5,000.00 sent today. We have concluded to effect your payment through western union $5,000.00 daily until the $800,000.00 is completely transfered. Meanwhile, Our Office has western union $5,000.00 in your name today.

So contact Western union Agent to pick up this $5000 now:
Contact person: Dr Eddy Benson,
TEL: +229-97 37 38 89
E-mail:( western_union302@msn.com )

Ask him to give you the mtcn, sender name, question and answer to pick the $5,000.00. Also you should send to him your informations, YOUR FULL NAME: YOUR ADDRESS: YOUR DIRECT PHONE NUMBER:

Thanks,

Regards,
Mrs. Esther Sawadogo
For Western Union Money Transfer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam