419 scam: "Mrs.Destiny Asah" <destin.asah@gmail.com> Re : Congrats:,Western Union Bonus Centre.

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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.
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. )
- "are expected to pay " (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)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- +22999105412 (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.
- westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Destiny Asah" <destin.asah@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:48:16 -0800
Subject: Re : Congrats:,Western Union Bonus Centre.

THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 204)
Welcome to Western Union Bonus Centre Benin Republic Send
Money Worldwide
FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS, 23 BOMBAY WAY,WHITE HOUSE,
RUE,85745, COTONOU.
REV.FR. TOM CHUKWU
E MAIL ADDRESS = westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it
CUSTOMER CARE LINE; +229 99 10 54 12.

Hello Dear Customer Congrats:,

The Board of federal ministry of finance benin republic. are here to
notify you of your payment inherited funds of $3.800.000.00usd after
the meeting hold on 12th of May 2010.His Exelence the PRESIDENT OF
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN DR.YAYI BONI. has Instructed this Department
to send your funds through western union money transfer for easier
receive of your inherinted funds without any further delay. to avoid
paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through the global.
you are required to send your name and address were you want your fund
to be send through western union the maximium amount you will be
receiving each day starting from tomorrow is the sum of $4,500.00.
also your are required to send us the sum of $105.00Us dollar for
re-newing and recofirming your file that was deposited in this office
with your name and address bellow.

This is to notify all our customer about the latest development
concerning all the payment that are left in our custody,which yours
are inclusive Besides, your where given a bill of $255,00Usd in order
to receive your payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime
now.......

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special BONUS to help all
our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to of
prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should
pay only the sum of $45. 00 Usd to receive all their payment abandoned
in our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply
and your funds shall be transfer to your desginated address.

But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we
will divert your funds to Goverment Fund, to aviod problem or we will
cancel the payment for this year untill next year we will enter A new
project for the year and that is the reason why we decided to help
to all our customers before we enter into the new project.

So be advise to send the $45.00Usd immediately so that we will
register your payment and for you to start receive your $4,500 as from
tomorrow.

Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on
phone unless you will call +229, 99105412 Note that you are expected
to pay only $45.00Usd for re-newing and recofirming your file After
the payment of $45.00 Usd you will start receiveing your money every
day$4,500 through Western Union Send the money through Western Union
Money Transfer with the information below,

The Payment instructions through western union below:

Receiver Name:......Mr. Asamoah Anthony.
Country:...............................Benin Republic
City:...................Cotonou
Text Question:........When
Text Answer:..........Today
MTCN......

Senders name should be yours,

The moment i receive the payment of $45.00Usd we will release the
first payment informations of $4,500 to you.

Also you are required by this Department to send the Renewing &
Reconfirming of your file charges of $45.00 dollar to VITAL BANK PLC
WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER to help us Renew & Reconfirm you file
that was deposited in the BANK along with your name and address below.

Beneficiarey name:......................
Address:.....................................
Tel phone:.....................................
Age:............................................
Sex:........................................
Your picture:..................................

Yours in service We are waiting for your urgent respond immediately
and be rest assured of our honest service of releasing your full
funds($3.800.000.00Us) in our system once this instructions is abid.

After the payment update REV.FR. EDWARD M. AQUINO at
(westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it)

FOR THE MANAGEMENT
REV.FR. EDWARD M. AQUINO.
FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( 204)

E-MAIL=:westernunionbounscenter@yahoo.it

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam