419 scam: "MR. RICHARD WALTER" <bikeri1967@gmail.com> 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. )
- "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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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 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.
- www_western_union2012@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. RICHARD WALTER" <bikeri1967@gmail.com>
Reply-To: www_western_union2012@yahoo.com
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2012 06:51:00 +1200 (NZST)
Subject: DEAR CUSTOMER ,,,

DEAR CUSTOMER ,,,
This is to inform you that the higher authorities that is in charge ofinternational transaction has this morning declared that you will receive your$1,800.00Usd,through WesternUnion Money Transfer Only as compensation for your past effort here in BeninRepublic . So the arrangement has been made this morning and the Federal HighCourt of Justice has signed your Western Union Transfer Papers and the onlymoney you will pay is $395. For the signing of it which means your transferwill start tomorrow morning. The daily transfer of your fund is $7.000.00 perday until your total $1,800.00Usd is completely transferred to you.
I am here to swear to you that your first payment of $7.000.00 dailytransfer will be on its way today or latest tomorrow morning once we confirmthe $395 from you which is for the Federal High Court Of Justice Benin Republicsigning of your Western Union Transfer Papers. To show you the truth. Below isthe First transfer payment details which has been insert into our computer..Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN): 3861340020Sender First Name: CHRISTIAN PAPASender Last Name: IGBOKWUAmount; 7.000.00Status :Available for pick up by receiverThen we want you to type https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=global and click tracking and copysender's first name and last name,you also copy MTCN number and clickcheck status to see that your first transfer of $7.000.00 is available for youbut you will not pick it until you pay the needed fee $395 for the signing of yourWestern Union Transfer Papers by the Federal High Court Benin
Republic. So weare here giving you this Western Union Payment Information for you to send the$395 immediately and your first transfer of the $7.000.00 will be on its wayafter we pick the $395.
1. Receiver Name: =======MR. MICHAEL ONUORAH2. City/Country: ========== Cotonou - Benin Republic .3. Question===========WHEN?4. Answer: ===========ASAP5. Amount: ===========US$3956. MTCN: ===========7. Sender Name========We wait for your mail with the $395 from you and be rest assured that you willreceive your total compensation of $7.000.00.00Usd from us because this isGeneral Western Union Head Office here in Benin Republic . Finally you areadvice to stop emailing any office or department here in Benin Republic untilyou receive your full compensation from us; this is for your security. WesternUnion Head Quarter Benin Republic .General Manager MR. RICHARD WALTER.Email: www_western_union2012@yahoo.com$7.000.00.00Usd Compensation from Benin Republic ..

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam