419 scam: Dr Carlos Mark <westernunionoffice51220@yahoo.pt> Attention My Dear Friend

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "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. )
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.
- +22968968895 (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.
- westernmoneygoodhope@yahoo.com (Yahoo; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Dr Carlos Mark <westernunionoffice51220@yahoo.pt>
Reply-To: Dr Carlos Mark <westerntransfergoodlive@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:02:44 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Attention My Dear Friend

Â Attention My Dear Friend
This is to inform you that this office was instructed to pay your fund$2.5Million U.S Dollars by America security leading team and Americarepresentative embassy between now until end of july 2015 per day you willreceive the sum of $10,000 Dollars,$5000 from western union and $5000through money gram,but you will send them $58.00 immediately for transfer charge immediately before pick up this first payment of $5000.00 USD right now
However be informed that we have send the sum of $5000 Dollars thismorning to avoid cancellation of your payment you have only four hours tocall this office upon the receipt of this email the maximum amount youwill be receiving per day starting from today is $10,000 in two differentpayments and the Money Transfer Control Number of today is below.
Once again you will reconfirm us with your1.FULL NAME......................2.HOME ADDRESS...................3.CITY...........................4.COUNTRY........................5.OCCUPATION.....................6.PERSONAL PHONE NUMBER..........
Email us to give you information to send the $58.00 immediately so that you can pick up your first payment of $5000.00.immediately in western union and another $5000.00 in money gramRECEIVER NAME____?COUNTRY___________?CITY________________?TEL_________________?TEST QUESTION______?ANSWER_____________?
Furthermore you advised to call us as the instruction was passed thatwithin 10 hours without hearing from you. Count your payment cancelled.Number to call is below listed Manager Director Office Mr.Carlos Mark ,of release order:             +229 6896-8895       .E-mail addresses:(westernmoneygoodhope@yahoo.com)Thanks and my regardsMr,Donna Larry, 

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam