419 scam: Western Union <westernu749@gmail.com> Attention Beneficiary funds,

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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)
- "wetern_u@live.fr" (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.
- +22998677751 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <westernu749@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wetern_u@live.fr
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2012 19:49:02 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Attention Beneficiary funds,

Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,
ANKPA ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU
Email; wetern_u@live.fr

Attention Beneficiary funds,

After our executive meeting yesterday with our board of directors, We come into conclusion that your inheritance fund of $2,500.000.00(two million five hundred thousand United State Dollars) should be only transfer through our WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER OFFICE.

In addition to this, We have decided to give all our customers August bonanza starting from today till 30th of this month by reducing the transfer rate from the big amount to small amount.

As the matter of fact, the transfer fee has been reduced from the total amount to $54.00 and that is only fee you can pay to receive your daily payment of $5,000.00 because the payment was approved on Monday and we do contacted you today for your immediate attention over it.

Note that anything that has the beginning is also has the end in that case, first come first serve. Below is the payment information to send the money via western union office. I promise you that if it is any other fee we will pay it . You are entitle to receive your first payment today if you do send the money today as well

WESTERN UNION BONANZA NEW MONTH

Receiver's Nanme:=== PETER A JAMES
Country:=== Benin Republic.
City:=== Cotonou
Zip Code:=== 00229
Question:=== Very?
Answer:=== Urgent.
Amount:=== $54.00
MTCN:========
Sender Name:=====

We are waiting to hear from you today with the fee You can call with this number +229 98677751 for the Mtcn number to enable this department to release your fund immediately.
Looking forward for your anticipated response.
Very best regards,
Dir, John West.
Operator Western Union
International Benin Republic.
signed

Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union Send Money Worldwide

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam