419 scam: Western Union <info-office@qq.com> Attn: Our Esteem 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. )
- "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.
- +22998980667 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <info-office@qq.com>
Reply-To: Western Union <westernunion.210@foxmail.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 09:55:30 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attn: Our Esteem Customer.

Â Attn: Our Esteem Customer.

Congratulations that i borrowed $100.00 yesterday after service from my Pastor in the church. And the amount you have to send now is only $65. but i don't see the

reason why you will be silent on me, is this, because of the money? any way there is good news that i raise some money to help you out and to make sure that your

payment will be release to you within 3hours after you send the remaining $65.00 today. I know it is because of your past experience that make you not to believe me but

I will assure you before my God who is my wittiness that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what shall it profit a man to gain material things and loose his

soul. I told you earlier, just drop your old experience and follow instruction of a man of God and you will know what it means to follow somebody that fear God.

Honestly I am just disappointed at your behaviors before because you know that I am man of God and cannot deceive you. Just pay the $65. and leave rest for me, and

see, if I am telling you lies.

Your payments is already approval today for you to receive it but the management here says that you must pay $65. for the paper and signature charge before you can

receive the payment today.please send the charge through western union immediately. I swear If I fail to release your payment within 3hours after you send the $65. as

I promise don,t count on me again, I cannot fail you, I promise you. Donâ€™t be afraid of anything, because as soon as you send the $65. today please leave the rest for

me and see if I am lie to you or not because I can not use my life swear because of $65. How can I swear against my life because of this little amount? It is to show

you that what I am telling you is nothing but the truth?

HERE IS THE INFORMATION TO SEND THE MONEY THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER BELOW;
Â
1.RECEIVER NAME===== FRANCIS OTOTOU
2.COUNTRY===BENIN REPUBLIC.
3 CITY COTONOU
3.QUESTION======
FINAL?
4.ANSWER======= FINAL
5.AMOUNT=======$65.
I am waiting to hear from you with the payment detailÂ MTCN SENDER NAME?
GOD BLESS YOU
MR.WILLIAMS JOHNSON.
WESTERN UNIONÂ HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT REPUBLIC OF BENIN.
FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
THIS IS OUR CONDUCT CODE ( wu2015)
TELEPHONE NUMBER +229-9898-0667
E-mail address :( westernunion.210@foxmail.com )

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam