419 scam: Westernunion Office <westernunionoffice48@yahoo.co.uk> FUND BENEFICIARY ATM CARD CENTER CODE 555,

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "atm payment department" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "swift card payment center" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "card center will send you an atm card" (this phrase is often used in the ATM card payment scam)
- "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)
- "fund beneficiary" (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)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "centeratmpayment41@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
- "centeratmpayment41@yahoo.com" (this email address looks like addresses used in "ATM SWIFT card" scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +22999157618 (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.
- centeratmpayment41@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Westernunion Office <westernunionoffice48@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:51:01 +0100 (BST)
Subject: FUND BENEFICIARY ATM CARD CENTER CODE 555,

                                                   OCEANIC BANK PLC
                                                   TINUBU SQUARE,DU. BENIN REPUBLIC SUB: TRANSFER FUND.


>From the Desk OF:MR.OSBOND WASE GEORGE
International Settlement Dept.
   OCEANIC BANK PLC.
Immediate ATM Cash Card Payment Notification
EMAIL: centeratmpayment41@yahoo.com

     FUND BENEFICIARY ATM CARD CENTER CODE 555,

THIS IS TO OFFICIALLY INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE VERIFIED YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE FILE AND FOUND OUT THAT WHY YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT FULFILLED THE OBLIGATIONS GIVEN TO YOU IN RESPECT OF YOUR CONTRACT / INHERITANCE PAYMENT.
SECONDLY WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE NONE OFFICIALS IN THE BANK, ALL IN YOUR ATTEMPT TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THE FUND TO YOU. WE WISH TO ADVISE YOU THAT SUCH AN ILLEGAL ACT LIKE THIS HAVE TO STOP IF YOU WISHES TO RECEIVE YOUR PAYMENT SINCE WE HAVE DECIDED TO BRING A SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ARRANGED YOUR PAYMENT THROUGH OUR SWIFT CARD PAYMENT CENTER ASIA PACIFIC, THAT IS THE LATEST INSTRUCTION FROM MR.PRESIDENT,IYABONI (GCFR) FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN. THIS CARD CENTER WILL SEND YOU AN ATM CARD WHICH YOU WILL USE TO WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY IN ANY ATM MACHINE IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD, BUT THE MAXIMUM IS FIVE THOUSAND, FIVE THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS PER D A Y.
SO IF YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR FUND IN THIS WAY, PLEASE LET US KNOW BY CONTACTING THE ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AND ALSO SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS LISTED BELOW.

1. FULL NAME
2. FULL ADDRESS (P.O BOX NOT ACCEPTABLE)
3. PHONE AND FAX #
4. YOUR AGE, SEX AND CURRENT OCCUPATION
5. ATTACH COPY OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION

HOWEVER, KINDLY FIND BELOW THE CONTACT PERSON THROUGH HIS OFFICIAL PRIVATE MAIL BOX:

MR.OSBOND WASE GEORGE
INTEGRATED PAYMENT DEPARTMENT
EMAIL: centeratmpayment41@yahoo.com
THE ATM AND MASTER CARD PAYMENT CENTER HAS BEEN MANDATED TO ISSUE OUT USD2,300,000.00 AS PART PAYMENT FOR THIS QUARTER. ALSO FOR YOUR INFORMATION, YOU HAVE TO STOP ANY FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH ANY OTHER PERSON(S) OR OFFICE(s) TO AVOID ANY HITCHES IN RECEIVING YOUR PAYMENT. NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF IMPOSTORS, WE HERE BY ISSUE YOU OUR CODE OF CONDUCT, WHICH IS (ATM-555) SO YOU HAVE TO INDICATE THIS CODE WHEN CONTACTING THE CARD CENTER BY USING IT AS YOUR SUBJECT.

REGARDS,
DR OLUSEGUN AGANGA
MINISTER OF FINANCE TO THE PRESIDENT
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN
OFFICE PHONE---------+229-99-15-76-18.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam