419 scam: "Western Union"<admin@grifis.tk> PICK UP THE $ 5000,000

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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. )
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "roy91880_westernnunion@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +2348181865796

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union"<admin@grifis.tk>
Reply-To: <roy91880_westernnunion@outlook.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2015 03:52:06 -0700
Subject: PICK UP THE $ 5000,000

Western Union Payment Office
West African Zonal Headquarter
Lagos Republic Of Nigeria
Phone : +2348181865796

Under the United Nations Scam Victims Rehabilitation scheme, You are LISTED
to receive your compensation through Western Union payment on the tune of
US$800,000.00 as one of the scammed victims.Your name and Country enlisted
in our Website Publication as one of the lucky Beneficiaries to the Compensation
Fund payment. You can Track your available Fund below to See it Online with
sender's full names and MTCN.

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=CN

FIRST NAME____ Georges

LAST NAME____ Atchimavo

AMOUNT SENT: $ 5000,000

(MTCN) 1484504381

The Total funds on your name here is $800,000.00. Quickly Get back to us
to enable us Give you the question and answers so that you can Pickup the
available funds immediately , But you have to validate your file in this office
with the little fee of $110 to fully authorize us to give you the information
to pickup the available fund . This is the only money involves . As soon as
you send the $110 to us here today , We will validate your file and release
the question and answer to enable you to pickup the available $5000,00 immediately .

Kindly go now and send the $110 to the name of our accountant officer below .

EMMANUEL OKAFOR
LAGOS NIGERIA
QUESTION : IN GOD
ANSWER : WE TRUST

Email us the full payment information as soon as you send the fee to enable you
pickup the available funds today .

We are waiting asap .Contact us ONLY on this email to give us your information :
roy91880_westernnunion@outlook.com

Sincerely Regards
MR. GABRIEL ROY SCHWERTE
Western Union Payment Office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam