419 scam: Western Union <fileffc@gmail.com> CONFIRM THIS MESSAGE URGENT

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
- +22999364266 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <fileffc@gmail.com>
Reply-To: white.peters@inmail.sk
Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 02:51:40 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: CONFIRM THIS MESSAGE URGENT

FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU ANKPA ROAD
LAGOTES PALAR

Attention Beneficiary;

We are here to inform you that after our executive meeting yesterday with our board of directors and the Government of this country together with the power authorities here, We come into conclusion that your payment of US$800,000.00( Eight Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) should only be transferred to you through our Western Union Service here.

In addition to this, we have decided to compensate our entire client due to their inability to pay the requested fee from the authorities, the compensation bonanza started today been Saturday November 5, 2011 and it will end on 15Th of November 2011 by reducing the highest cost to low amount.

As the matter of fact, the transfer fee and all cost requested from the authorities has been cut down to amount of US$68.00 and that is the only money you will pay to receive your payment because the transfer of your fund were approved and signed as well and we do contacted you today for your immediately attention over it.

Note that anything that has the beginning also has the end in that case, first come first serve.

WESTERN UNION INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER SERVICE OFFICIAL BONANZA 2011 AWARD. You are entitle to receive your payment today if you do send the money today,you will as well receive US5000.00 per day.

Send the US$68.00 today through western union with Information below:

Receiver Name.........Obieluo Antony
Country............. Benin
City..............Cotonou
Text Question..........When
Answer..............Now
Amount..................US$68.00
Sender's Name.............?
MTCN..................

We are waiting to hear from you today with the fee to enable this department to release your payment immediately. Look forward for your anticipated response.

Very best regards,
Mr. Peter White.
Operator Western Union
International Benin Republic.
+229 99364266

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam