419 scam: Western Union Agent <blessingnelo43@yahoo.com.ph> PICK UP YOUR FIRST $5,000 PAYMENT FROM WESTERN UNION (MTCN): 695-0464-760

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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.
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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
- "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.
- wa31095@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Agent <blessingnelo43@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: wa31095@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:48:59 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: PICK UP YOUR FIRST $5,000 PAYMENT FROM WESTERN UNION (MTCN): 695-0464-760

Western Union Send Money Worldwide
Welcome to Western Union Money Transfer office Cotonou Benin.
ADDRES: 17, BP OPPOSITE POST OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC.
Website: www.westernunion.com
Email: wa31095@gmail.com
phone : Number +229-98307997.

Dear Custumer Email Notification:Attn ,

The Western Union Money Transfer Service Cotonou, Benin Republic headquarters,we wishes to inform you that our government has paid part of the fees needed for the final release of your funds $1.5Million USD to you this month through our Western Union Office here in Benin Republic to avoid you sending much money to african scammers again.

And for your information the maximum amount you will be receiving started from tomorrow is $5000 USD till your total funds of $1.5Million USD is complete transfered to you and we have been strongly to send you the first payment of $5000 USD today through our payment system here before we findout that your payment file need to renew from world Bank central system.

And we listed bellow for your first payment of $5000 usd been sent in your name today morning but you will not pick up the money unless you send the fee of US $95.00 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System here in Cotonou, Republic Benin. Bellow is your first payment for $5000 usd sent today.

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 695-0464-760
SENDER'S NAME====== Anthony Amuzie .
Question-=============Who sent?
Test Answer==========Anthony
Amount===============$5,000.00.
Country=========USA
Therefore click www.westernunion.com and track your first payment infirmation before 1hours now to confirm that we do not lie to you in any where true to GOD.

we also repeat again, you will not pickup the money unless you send the fee of US $95.00 require to renew and reconfirm your payment file to us through the World Bank Central System in Benin Republic. So if you would prefer to start receiving your payment before 5hours today hurry up and send the renew and reconfimation of your payment file fees $95.00 usd with bellow information via western union money transfer service.

Reciever's Name: Mr Ofo Mike
Country: Benin Republic, City: Cotonou
Text Question: Very Urgent?
Answer: today.
Amount: $95.00 usd
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) is needed

Finally Notice: This payment you are receiving is coming directly from World Bank assistance programme 2011 promo, so its risk free and we the western union headquaters has agree to start sending you the payment immediately meet up with our demand in this latter.But after 2days you did not reply stand the risk of cancel your payment and have it return back to government

BEST REGARD
Mr. Anthony Amuzie , DIRECTOR Western Union Payments Benin Republic headquarter

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam