419 scam: Western Union <edthompsoninyang@gmail.com> YOUR (MTCN) 2933450361

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
- +22966519968 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <edthompsoninyang@gmail.com>
Reply-To: transfermoney45@live.com
Date: Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:51:54 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: YOUR (MTCN) 2933450361

Website: www.westernunion.com
Address: Plot 1261, Adeola Hopewell
Street CO/B/REP,
Republic Of Benin.
Tele: ( +229 66519968 )
Email: transfermoney45@live.com

DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER

Sequel to the meeting held today with United States Government, through
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Government have warn you to
stop further communication/dealing with any banks that have no website due to
fraud going on worldwide. Any banks that is contacting you without website is
scam. Please view our website now: www.westernunion.com
The United States Government instructed us to be paying you via western
union to you under installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily till the amount is
completely paid to you, we have transferred your first installment payment today
for your pick-up at any western union worldwide, but still on-hold due to none
Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill
of Transfer Document in your
payment file, which will cost you ($85.00) You are require to pay before your
daily transfer will be made available to you today.

Track your first payment online now using senders first name and last name
as directed below:

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global
Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) 2933450361
Sender First Name:OLEG
Sender Last Name:KATSAN

Track your first installment of Five Thousand Dollars daily online now,
You are requiring paying for Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of
Transfer Document fee to Mr. Marcel Owurah. and send copy of your international
passport which you will use to pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your
country.

Receiver's Name:   Marcel Owurah
Country; BENIN REPUBLIC
City;            Cotonou
Text Question:      In God?
Text
Answer:        We Trust
Amount:                $85.00 Dollars Only.
SENDER NAME::::::::::::::::::::::?
MTCN::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::?

Our customer care service will call you as soon as possible to enable you
pick up your daily $5,000.00 in your country. As soon as we receive the MTCN of
Federal Bureau of Investigation Clean Bill of Transfer Document of ($85.00) for
security and safety purpose, I have sent your daily $5,000.00 today and you can
pick up the money at any Western Union worldwide.

Sincerely Regards,
Mr. David peter
Western Union Payment Officer
Direct Tel:( +229
66519968 )
www.westernunion.com
=================================================================================
For
further information, please call +229 66519968 Copyright * 2003 Western Union
Holdings, Inc. Restrictions and Special Notes Money transfers sent to BENIN must
include a Test Question. Payee must present correct Money Transfer Control
Number (MTCN) and a valid ID to collect. US Dollars payouts are subject to
availability. FEXCO/Western Union Ireland is regulated by the Financial
Regulator © Western Union - Money Transfer Built by Splash

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam