419 scam: Western Union <ww.unionbenin108@live.fr> ATTN, Dear Customer

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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. )
- "westernunion1167@ymail.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +22998631857 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <ww.unionbenin108@live.fr>
Reply-To: westernunion1167@ymail.com
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:01:46 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: ATTN, Dear Customer

ATTN, Dear Customer

This is to inform you that your winning prize of $800.000.00 USD will be send to you via western union money transfer. The total amount mentioned above is with western union outlet and they will send the money via western union to you. Note they will be sending $5000 every day to you.

Therefore i want you to email and call Dr. Frank Johnson the western union Director and ask him to give you the text question and answer,MTCN 2522147320 Name of Sender :::: marcel / owurah /if you need to pick up the first $5000 today.EMAIL Him Now, Name Dr. Frank Johnson , Telphone number, +229-9863-1857 and ask him to give you text question and answer and every other information you need to pick up your $5000 today.

Here is what he may require from you:

YourName:
YourCell/Telephone Number/
Your Address/
text Qestion/
Answer/

NOTE; this payment was directed to be made available in your name. Please, do not forget to update me as soon as you receives this first payment. Contact him now on this webmail Email address: (westernunion1167@ymail.com )

Yours In Service
Mr.Peter Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam