419 scam: WESTERN UNION <anthonyjackson253@gmail.com> URGENT ATTENTION FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE.

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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. )
- "money gram" (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. )
- "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 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.
- +22999651453 (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.
- westernuniondepartinment@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <anthonyjackson253@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernuniondepartinment@yahoo.fr
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 06:51:32 +0800 (CST)
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION FROM WESTERN UNION OFFICE.

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. E MAIL ADDRESS =(westernuniondepartinment@yahoo.fr)
CUSTOMER CARE LINE;+229 996 514
53.Â Â
And Receive Money Via Any Western Union Store Near You!Â

Â
HelloÂ Dear CustomerÂ
Â
This is to notify all
of you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in
our custody,which yours are inclusive Besides,Â where you are given a billÂ of
$200. 00,Â in order to receive your payment which we didnâ€™t hear from you for
sometime now.Â Hence, our Western UnionÂ is now offering a Special BONUS to help
all our customers that are having their paymentÂ in our custody due to of high
prices.Â In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only
the sum of $125. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.
Â

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you and have to comply and
your fundsÂ shall be transfer to your desginated address.Â 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 yearÂ because this year is not like last year.
Â
Again after
(THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new projectÂ for the year and that is the reason
why we decided to helpÂ all our customers before we enter into the new project.

So beÂ advise to send the $125.00 immediately so that we will
register your payment andÂ start receiveing $2,500.00 as from tomorrow. Be
advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you
will call +229 996 51 4 53 After the payment of $125.00 you will start
receiveing your money every day $2,500.00 through Western Union andÂ Money Gram
untill the full payment of $3.8m is completed. So what you will be receiveing
per day is $9,000.00.Â
Â
Therefore you are requested to send the fee via
wester union money transfer with below information.
Â
RECEIVER NAME
;AFIOCHA LAWRENCE
COUNTRY -----;BENIN
REPUBLIC
CITY--------;COTONOU
TEST QUESTION;HOWÂ LONG
ANSWER
-------;NOW
AMOUNT ----;$125.00.
SENDER
NAME;............
MTCN;...................
Â
The moment i receive the
payment of $125 i will release the first payment informations of $2,500 to you
and you will pick up the money and i will send you another money. Hoping to hear
from you.
Â Â
FOR THE MANAGEMENT
FROM ..................
FOREIGN
OPERATION MANAGER
WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT
CODE ( 204)

Â

Â

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam