419 scam: "Western Union Money TransferX" <noreply@westernunion.com> Re: Transfer Notification From Western Union Money TransferX -

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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:
- "activation 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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
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.
- +447024080006 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- mailmarsdenl@yahoo.co.jp (Yahoo, Japan; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Money TransferX" <noreply@westernunion.com>
Reply-To: <lmarsden@o2.pl>
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:05:10 -0400
Subject: Re: Transfer Notification From Western Union Money TransferX - - -

Western Union Money Transfer®
Moving money for better..Send Money Worldwide.

Dear customer,

This is to inform you officially that the Board of Director of the Debt Reconciliation Center, in conjuction with the UK LOTTERY ORGANIZATION and our Western Union Agent Akpakpa has approved the payment sum of $500,000,00 (FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS) as your DEBT RECONCILIATION PAYMENT

The Compensation & Finance Head Office appointed Western Union Money Transfer to transfer your unpaid Winnings through western union electronic system for the ease of your pickup.

The Management of the UK LOTTERY ORGANIZATION HEAD BRANCH here in West Africa have submitted your name, city and country information to our office for endorsement & daily activation of your payment which has been programmed to be transferred in installments of $10,000 daily.

We have transferred your first installment payment available for your pickup but it is still on hold due to the unpaid endorsement & daily activation file fee of $520 you are mandated to pay before each daily transfer will be made available to you.

Employ the information below to track your first installment payment online at www.westernunion.com

Sender Name: AUGUSTINE EKENE
Money Transfer Control Number: 8132223367
Amount Programmed: $10,000

You are required to reconfirm your Receiver's name and Address to update our Activation Portal after the initial endorsement fee is paid.

Reconfirm the following information:

Receiver's Name:
Receiver's Address:
Receiver's Telephone Number:

Please note that the receiver's information is very vital to us as the activation of your daily installment will be redirected to the submitted Receiver's name and Address.

Send the activation fee of $520 through our front desk agent who will receive the payment:

Receiver: Jacob Wilson

City & Country: London - UK

Amount To Send: $520

Text Question: Sender

Text Answer: Augustine

For additional information, contact agent Laura Marsden.
Email: mailmarsdenl@yahoo.co.jp
Telephone: +44 702 408 0006

Send a copy of the payment slip issued to you at the western union outlet for confirmation of your payment.

Upon the confirmation of your payment, we shall proceed with the activation of your transaction.
We anticipate your kind co-operation.

Faithfully,

Western Union Money Transfer®

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Anti-fraud resources:

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