419 scam: "Mr. CHRIS PAUL" <westernu749@gmail.com> =?iso-8859-1?Q?Dear_Western=AE_Union

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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. )
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "money orders " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. CHRIS PAUL" <westernu749@gmail.com>
Reply-To: w_union29@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 28 May 2012 09:52:40 +0100 (BST)
Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Dear_Western=AE_Union_Customer?=

Dear Western® Union Customer

Welcome to Western Union Money
Transfer® transaction, at Western Union® we understand the need for
fast, safe, world wide money transfer and we guarantee your satisfaction
by offering you faster and efficient service with lots of smiles. We
are a global leader in money transfer services, offering the ability to
send money to more than 320,000 Western Union Agent locations in over
200 countries and territories count on Western Union to transfer money
and receive, send bill payments, and purchase money orders and prepaid
services.

Thanks for writing our office, you have
been awarded with the sum of One hundred and Fifty thousand United
States Dollars { USD$ 150,000.00 } by our office, as one of our best
customers who uses Western Union Money Transfer on their daily business
activities, this United Nations compensation was been selected through
the western union computer internet transfer database system, where your
e-mail address was selected :

You are our most respected customer and
we are meant to serve you better in future, you ready to pick up your
USD$ 150,000.00 sent to your name and address? We have decided to effect
payment through Western Union Money Transfer, Five Thousand United
State Dollars ($5000.00 USD ) will be remitted to you daily until the
total sum of One hundred and Fifty thousand United States Dollars (USD$
150,000) is fully completed. Meanwhile, we have already activated your
first daily payment sum of $5000.00 USD on our western union computer
transfer database system, available for pick up by receiver which is
you.

Hence more, we are in duty to register
your funds USD$ 150,000.00 online in western union computer internet
transfer database system before you can pick up your first $5000.00 USD
daily payment and your details in, to enable us start recording your
personal information to our database processor for $5000.00 USD daily
payment because of the amount involved.

DETAILS OF YOUR FIRST $5000USD

Sender's First Name: Augustine

Sender's Last Name: Okolo

MTCN: 0500939676 (Track the mtcn by dialing 1-800-325-6000 or

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global

Text Question: Sport?

Answer: Golf

Amount Programmed: $5000.00 USD

The charges of registration of your
personal information online in western union computer internet transfer
database system is $70.00 USD, you are to commence duty to the nearest
Western Union money transfer to send charges in order for us to attend
to your transaction with your daily $5000.00 USD.

Here are the information wish you are to use in send the charges:-

Recipient's name: Ojiakor R Dibor

Receivers Address: 30 Iso Road Cotonou, Benin Republic:

Question Text: One

Text Answer: : Colour

Amount: $70.00 USD

INSURANCE POLICY:-

This funds for greater protection has
also been insured in accordance with western union regulations under
unlimited liability. This comprehensive cash in transit insurance cover
for your funds has been arranged {for effective and fast customs
clearance} as soon as the payment $70.00 USD covering registration of
your funds USD$ 150,000 is made by the respective customer.

Immediately the charges of $70.00 USD
is paid today, you are to send a copy of the exploration of the Western
Union payment slip or kindly send an email from Western Union payment
then your payment details.

Sender's name:__________

Sender's Address: ___________

Western Union Transfer 10 digit MTCN:(______)

As soon as we receive the payment
information for the charges of registration of your funds USD$ 150,000
and your personal information online in western union computer internet
transfer database system above, you will be contacted on email
immediately in the next 45 minutes with the information that you are to
use to receive the first payment of $5000.00 USD USD today at any
western union outlet in your country.

Make sure you keep this message
confidential in order to avoid double claim of funds due to past
experience from past customers, have a nice day and we promise to serve
you better.

Looking forward to received your anticipated response.

Regards,

Mr. Chris Paul

Western® Union Customer Service Manager

THANK YOU FOR USING WESTERN® UNION MONEY TRANSFER

FAST WAY TO RECEIVE MONEY WORLD WIDE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam