419 scam: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <w.unionmoneytransferbj@hotmail.com> For The Last Time What is going on , who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?

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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.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (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. )
- "processing 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. )
- "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.
- +22991425696 (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.
- w.unionmoneytransferbj@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER <w.unionmoneytransferbj@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:22:55 +0100 (BST)
Subject: For The Last Time What is going on , who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?

For The Last Time What is going on , who is Jonathan T. Jefferson?

I
was trying to get you on phone regarding your $1.7Million USD, but it
seems as you don't want to speak with me. However, this Jonathan
visited my office on FRIDAY, SEPT 26th ,2011 with a Beninios lawyer and
application of claim over your $1.7Million USD, with this financial
institution.

Please, do confirm to me, as matter of urgency if this man is
really from you so that this office will not be held responsible for paying wrong person.

Based
on board of directors meeting today, they have concluded to approve the
payment on his favor since you failed to fulfill the obligation given
to you by the western union to process your payment. Therefore, if you
are really serious and willing to receive the first $5000.00 through
western union, kindly get back to me and I will work with you to
complete the western union payment processing fees so that you will
start receiving USD$5000.00 everyday.

Since Western Union
Payment processing fee is $75 in my concerted efforts to actualize your
fund payment with the convenient time schedule I will raise $31, so I am
expecting $44 from you today.

As an insider in this Financial
Institution, I must assure you that once you have provided to the Bank
with their demands, they would now be under legal obligation to transfer
the
funds to you within 3hours we confirm this $44. YES you must receive
the first $5,000 within 6hours after you send this $44.
Kindly make the payment to:

1. RECEIVER NAME======= JOHN IFEANYI
2. COUNTRY=====COTONOU_BENIN REPUBLIC.
3. QUESTION=======IN GOD
4. ANSWER======WE TRUST
5. AMOUNT======US$44.00

I
will like you to co-operate with me to retrieve this legacy payment
left behind than allowing the government of this country to forfeit it. I
believed it is a life time opportunity which every reasonable
human-being will never allow to slip by. We do business each day with an
absolute commitment to ethics, honesty and credibility.
.

Am waiting for your urgent response.
MR LEONARD VINCENT
+229 91425696
E-MAIL: w.unionmoneytransferbj@hotmail.com
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam