419 scam: "ADAM PRINCE $ESQ$" <paosullivan@btopenworld.com> I HAVE SEND THE MONEY HERE'S MTCN:9551875868

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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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "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.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "western.unioncotonou@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "western.unioncotonou@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +22998609681 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "ADAM PRINCE $ESQ$" <paosullivan@btopenworld.com>
Reply-To: western.unioncotonou@w.cn
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 12:09:08 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: I HAVE SEND THE MONEY HERE'S MTCN:9551875868



   Head
Ofiice: 22 Kashe Way
   Cotonou,  Bnenin
Republic

Attn: ,

Please be
informed that the funds are coming directly from the International
monetary Funds headquarters in west Africa it is a Grand Donation from the
United Nations to support individuals financially due to the global and
financial economic meltdown so your email address was selected globally as one
of the beneficiaries this year and we are only to pay beneficiaries once they
meet their financial obligations. Due to you not picking the funds on time we
have to pull back the funds until you were notified about the payment sent to
you .Western Union is not allowed to make all payment at once to individuals
without proper identification via western union money transfer for security
reasons,so you have to make the payment of $150 USD for obtaining Western Union
Promo Code before the funds can come in from western union, You can withdraw all
your funds in just 5min and do not get the doubt in mind about this and as soon
as payment made and confirm your account will be setup and detail of Western
Union Promo Code  will be sent to you and certificate of ownership sent to you
and put you as the receiver ( bearer )of the funds on how to pick up the money
from the western union office in your country and you have to make the payment
of $150USD for the Western Union Promo Code before the money can come in at any
Branch Bank that have Western Union counter.

Upon receipt of the fee for the purchasing of your international
Western Union Promo Code , you are receiving your pay-out of
$950,000.00USD.

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 9551875868
NAME:MR.SMITH
KELLY
MTCN:9551875868
QUESTION:
HONEST
ANSWER:TRUST
AMOUNT:$10,000.00USD

Above are details of your money transfer of $10,000.00 USD made on
your behalf but it has no receiver's name yet until you remit the $150.00 to us
before we can purchase theWestern Union Promo Code   with your name and put your
name as the receiver. Below is the information you will use to send us the fee
of $150.00 Via western union to our account officer Mr Duru
Uchechukwu.

Receivers name_____Mr Duru
Uchechukwu

City_______________ Cotonou

Country____________ Benin Republic

Mtcn
Number_____

Amount sent_____

Text
Question______ Trust

Answer_____________God

Then after you send
the money you can send the payment information to my email
below.

Mr.ADAMS PRINCE
E-Mail: (western.unioncotonou@w.cn)
Phone:
+22998609681

As soon as we receive the payment
of the $150.00 from you. We will put your name as the receiver and you will go
to any western union and pick up the money. you are to fill in the details below
.for sending payment to you as soon as the Western Union Promo Code
setup.

NAME:
TELEPHONE
NUMBER:
COUNTRY:
CITY:
ADDRESS:
TEST QUESTION: { optional
}
ANSWER: { optional }

You can also go to the website @
www.westernunion.com and track your transfer and see 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 remit the required $150.00 usd which has
already been made ($1o.000.00 USD )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 $1500.00

Get back to me via E-Mail:( western.unioncotonou@w.cn) with the payment information once the payment is been done
and you can contact me on my direct line if you have any question.

Call
for confirmation of receipt of this message on
+2299609681

Have a good
day.

Regards,
Mr.ADAMS PRINCE (ESQ)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam