419 scam: WESTERN UNION 01 <westernun55@live.com> PAYMENT SENT

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "certificate fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "westernun55@live.com" (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.
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.
- +22999035386 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION 01 <westernun55@live.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:17:51 +0000
Subject: PAYMENT SENT

Attention Dear

We want to inform you that your payment of $5000 has been sent today through western Union and i want you to contact Mr PETER MORE immediately with his email address email (westernun55@live.com) and here is western union information to pick up your first payment $5000.00.usd today .

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderResults.asp?country=global

Sender’s First name: Nweke
Sender’s Last name: Chibuzor
MTCN: 4910106352
Amount: $5000.00 usd
Test Question: Good
Answer: Good
Status : Available for pick up by receiver

call him with this number +229 99035386., ask Him where you can pick up your payment, the only money you have to pay is $55. for the first INSTALLMENTAL PAYMENT, been the clearance certificate of your funds from IMF office, with the above info, the $2.5 Million was located to be sending to you $5,000.00 everyday until he complete sending the whole amount to you the sum of ($2.5 Million).So be advice to send Him the clearance certificate fee before you can pick up your first payment with information bellow to send the $55 to us.

RECEIVER NAME--- --Mr UDE JOSEPH
COUNTRY---- ------BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY------- --COTONOU
QUESTION----- -HOW MUCH
ANSWER----- ----55 DOLLARS
MTCN---- --
SENDER NAME--- -------

Wait to hear from you with the payment information before your first payment can be realised from western union office in your country, We wish you good luck.

THANKS FOR OUR PATRONAGE,
YOURS SINCERELLY
MR PETER MOORE
TEL +229 99035386
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER

Western Union®
Send Money Worldwide

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam