419 scam: "Mrs Linda Obi" <offfile1010@yahoo.com.au> Welcome to 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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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. )
- "million us 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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- +22966485244 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Linda Obi" <offfile1010@yahoo.com.au>
Reply-To: wupayy@vf.vc
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:18:58 +0600 (BDT)
Subject: Welcome to Western Union

Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Western Union office Special New Bonus

ATTENTION DEAR CUSTOMER

The Board of federal ministry of finance benin republic. are here to
notify you of your payment inherited funds of $1.5million USD after the
meeting on 17th of September 2011.His Exelence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL
REPUBLIC OF BENIN DR.YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department to send
your funds through western union money transfer for easier receive of your
inherinted
funds without any further delay.

To avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through the
interner.You are required to send your name and address were you want your
fund to be send through western union the maximum amount you will be
receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the sum of $5000.00.

Also your are required to send us the sum of $95 Us dollar for re-newing
and recofirming your file that was deposited in this office with your
name and address bellow.

This is to notify all our customer about the latest development concerning
all the payment that are left in our custody,which yours are inclusive
Besides, your where given a bill of $355,00Usd in order to receive your
payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now.

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our
customers that are having their payment in our custody due to of prices.

In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only
the sum of $95. 00 Usd to receive all their payment abandoned in our
custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and
your funds shall be transfer to your desginated address.

But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will
divert your funds to Goverment Fund, to aviod problem or we will cancel
the payment for this year untill next year we will enter A new project
for the year and that is the reason why we decided to help to all our
customers before we enter into the new project.

So be advise to send the $95.00Usd immediately so that we will register
your payment and for you to start receive your $5,000 as from tomorrow.

Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone
unless you will call +229-664-85244 Note that you are expected to pay only
$95.00Usd for re-newing and recofirming your file After the payment of
$95.00 Usd you will start receiveing your money every day$5,000 through
Western Union Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the
information below,

The Payment instructions through western union:

Receiver Name:......Mrs Sunday Osagie
Country:...............................Benin Republic
City:...................Cotonou
Text Question:........When
Text Answer:..........Today

The moment we receive the payment of $95.00Usd we will release the first
payment informations of $5,000 to you.Also you are required by this
Department to send the Renewing & Reconfirming of your file charges of
$95.00 dollar to OCEANIC BANK PLC WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to help us
Renew & Reconfirm you file that was deposited in the BANK along with your
name and address below.

Beneficiarey name:......................
Address:.....................................
Tel phone:.....................................
Age:............................................
Sex:........................................
Your picture:..................................

Yours in service We are waiting for your urgent respond immediately and be
rest assured of our honest service of releasing your full funds($1.5
million Us dollars) in our system once this instructions is abide.
After the payment update Mrs Linda Obi
(wwupayy@vf.vc)

BEST REGARDS.
Mrs Linda Obi

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam