419 scam: Western Union Payment Unit <mailinfor@peoplepc.com> Western Union Payment Unit

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "waiting for your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- +22997948648 (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.
- paymentofficebenin@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Payment Unit <mailinfor@peoplepc.com>
Reply-To: Western Union Payment Unit <paymentofficebenin@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:08:55 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
Subject: Western Union Payment Unit

Western Union Payment Unit
Avenue Pape Jean Paul II.
Boîte postale : 08 BP 0879
Cotonou, Benin Republic

Attn: Dear Friend,

The general governing body of International Monetary Funds, IMF has authorized my Office to settle all the Foreign Outstanding Debts owed by the Benin Republic Government.The IMF Foreign Policy and Currency Regulation offered loan of $23 billion to Benin Republic Government based on that Agreement, $2 billion was mapped out for the Foreign Debts and your name was among those Beneficiaries to be paid through my Office the sum of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. ($1.5M) and your payment will be transfered to you via Western Union Money Transfer.

Please re-confirm the following information for easier transfer of your fund:

Full Name:
Full Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Direct Phone#

Note that you will be receiving the sum of $5000 per day until the total sum of $1.5M is fully transfered and what it will cost you to receive the total amount is US$55.00 to Activate your payment files. Upon confirming your details above I shall get back to you with the information you will use to remit the US$55.00 for Activation. My direct phone line is +229 9794 8648, Email (paymentofficebenin@gmail.com)

Please forward the required information and I will get back to you with the needed information to send the required amount for activation following with your payment details to pick up your US$5000.00.

Waiting for your urgent response.

Mr. Donald Smith
Western Union Payment
Office Benin Republic
________________________________________ PeoplePC Online A better way to Internet http://www.peoplepc.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam