419 scam: MR TONY BILLS <mryan9837@yahoo.com> VITAL MESSAGE URGENT CONTACT WESTERN UNION

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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. )
- "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.
- +22998307997 (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.
- westernunionheadofficecotonoub@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: MR TONY BILLS <mryan9837@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: westernunionheadofficecotonoub@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2011 17:43:36 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: VITAL MESSAGE URGENT CONTACT WESTERN UNION

Attn: My Dear Good Friend,

I am Mr.Tony Bill, secretary to Dr. Timothy Hanson. I'm writing to inform you about your compensation fund sum of $1.8 Million, us dollars my boss was issued in your name before he traveled out of the country for his business trip, Before he traveled 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 payment of $7000.00 us dollars until you receive your total money completely.

Meanwhile, the manager stated yesterday that, the director Administrator Trust Funds has already signed and approved your payment, which you will be receiving your payment sum of $7000.00 us dollars daily immediately you sent them their transfer TRANSACTION charge and it will serve as confirmation of your file payment from the office in charge. So you are to contact them on the information below.

Vital Finance Bank Western Union Department.
Location Address; Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell Street CO/B/REP,
Contact Person: Mr Paul Ngozi
Telephone Number: +229-983-07997.
Email Address: ( westernunionheadofficecotonoub@gmail.com

Be informed that the WESTERN UNION office transfer TRANSACTION charge its compulsory charge that you have to pay regarding the instruction given to me that it's the only money you have to pay until you received your payment completely. So you are require to re-confirm your personal details to avoid any hitches in receiving your full payments.That is the transaction charge which will enable them send the first $7000 dollars to you through western union.FIND OUT FROM THEM HOW MUCH THEIR TRANSACTION CHARGE WILL COST YOU???

This is what they need from you as the Receiver to enable them send your
first $7000 dollars to you today.'
Your Full Name:_____________________
Your Country/City:______________________
Your Current Telephone/Fax Number:_____________________
A Copy Of Your ID/ Int'l Passport:_______________________
Your Test Question:__________________
Answer:_______________________

Remember to keep me update immediately they have started sending you payment as programmed, but please make sure that you comply with them to enable them serve you better.
THANK AND REMAIN BLESS.
MR.TONY BILL

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam