419 scam: Westernunion Money Transfer Department <dhg4342@peoplepc.com> Contact Westernunion Agent

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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)
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.
- +22998950265 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Westernunion Money Transfer Department <dhg4342@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: Westernunion Money Transfer Department <uba1@live.fr>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2010 04:26:36 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Contact Westernunion Agent


Attn; Recipient,

We have concluded to effect your payment through western union
$10,000.00 daily until the $750,000.00 is completely transferred to you accordingly.
Though, Samson Nkono has sent $5,000.00 in your name today so contact Western union Agent:
Mr.Sunday Boni
E-mail:(uba1@live.fr)
Cell; +229-98950265
NOTE; this payment was directed to be made available in your name 
and you can only pay them $165.00 as to enable the purchasing of your 
inheritance file to prevent illegal transfer of your funds.

RECEIVER NAME ....OKAFOR CHIDI
COUNTRY...........REPUBLIC OF BENIN
CITY .............COTONUO
TEXT QUESTION.....TRANSFER CODE
ANSWER............001
MTCN............

Then after you send them $165.00 Tell Mr.Sunday Boni to give you the payment information for $10,000.00, 
once you send the payment of $165.00 to them to enable you pick up
The two transfer each $5,000.00.

Please, do not forget to update me as soon as you receive this two payment.
Regards
Mr.Zak William


________________________________________
PeoplePC Online
A better way to Internet
http://www.peoplepc.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam