419 scam: "Barrister Fred Mark" <fredmark1@live.fr> Contact Western Union Immediately.

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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:
- "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 state 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "wsetrn_unino432@live.fr" (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.
- +22998568820 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister Fred Mark" <fredmark1@live.fr>
Reply-To: wsetrn_unino432@live.fr
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2011 20:39:38 -0400
Subject: Contact Western Union Immediately.

Attn My Dear Friend,

I Am Fred Mark,Barrister to Dr. Timothy Hanson. I'm writing to let you know
about your ($3.5millions) Three Millions Two Hundred Thousand United State
Dollars, that my boss issued on your name before his travel out for his
business purpose.

Before he travels out he instructed me to send you the total money through
Western Union Money Transfer because it will be less expensive and reliable
for you to be receiving your daily $5.500 dollar until you receive your total
money completely.

Meanwhile, the manager stated yesterday that, the director administrator trust
funds have already signed and approved your payment, which you will be
receiving your payment 5.500.00 Us Dollars immediately you sent them their
transfer charge of $115 and it will serve as confirmation of your file payment
from the office in charge.

So you are advice to contact them on below information,Vital Finance Bank
Western Union Department.Location Address; Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street
CO/B/REP,
Contact Person: Mr.Robert George,
Tele phone Number: +229 98568820
Email Address: (wsetrn_unino432@live.fr)

The financial western union payment canter has been mandated to issue out your
payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other
person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your
payment.Therefore the only fee you have to pay them is $115 Only usd that they
will use to transfer your fund to you without any delay.

Note: That this is not one of those Nigerian/African scams that all they are
after is to ripe you off your money and at the end you wil not receive your
funds, but note that this is no scam and is directly from the Management of
Western Union Money Transfer United Kingdom Head Office and our Motto is To
Serve You Better.

Be advise that the $115 is a compulsory as they told me that is the only money
you will pay until you receive your payment completely. So confirm your
details to avoid any hitches in receiving your full payments.This is what they
need from you below;

Full name;.....................
Receiver's name;..............
Country;.......................
City;.........................
Tel;...........................
Test question;................
Answer;.......................

Also do let me know immediately they have started sending you your money, but
try to comply with them to enable them serve you better.

Thanks,
Barrister Fred Mark

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam