419 scam: HONORABLE MR.ROBERT JOHNSON <adongabriel3@live.com> FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER WESTERN UNION INT'L.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "lagos" (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.
- +2348178552479
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.
- transfer233@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: HONORABLE MR.ROBERT JOHNSON <adongabriel3@live.com>
Reply-To: <transfer233@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 08:19:20 +0100
Subject: FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER WESTERN UNION INT'L.

FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER WESTERN UNION INT'L.OFFICE NIGERIA. 205 IDIMU RD LAGOS NIGERIA.
E:transfer233@gmail.com
This is to notify all our customers
about the new development concerning all the payment that are left in
our custody which yours are inclusive.Besides, your where given a bill
of $450 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 $69 to receive all their
payment abandoned in our custody.Besides, my dear, this is the
opportunity for you and you have to comply so that your funds shall be
transferred to your designated address. But remember that after (2 DAYS)
you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to
Government Fund, to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this
year until next year because this year is not like last year.Again
after (TWO DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that
is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we enter
into the new project. So be advise to send the $69.00 immediately so
that we will register your payment and for you to start receive $5,000
as from tomorrow.Be advise that there is no time again for US to
call any person on phone unless you will Call Number +234 8178552479:
After the payment of $69.00 you will start receiving your money every
day $5,000 through Western Union. Send the money through Money Gram OR
Western Union Money Transfer with the information below,Receiver's Name==Okolo JamesCountry== NigeriaCity==LagosText Question== UrgentAnswer==TransferAmount=$69.00 The
moment I receive the payment of $69.00 I will release the first payment
information of $5,000 to you and you will pick up the money and I will
continue to send it to you every day until your payment of
$4,500.000.00USD is transferred to you. Hoping to hear from you.THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE,YOURS SINCERELY,HONORABLE MR.ROBERT JOHNSONFOREIGN OPERATION MANAGERWESTERN UNION OFFICE NIGERIA

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam