419 scam: Western Union <.JOHN.@chive.ocn.ne.jp> Western Union office Special New Bonus

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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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 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.
- wnunioncentaerbeninrepublic@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union <.JOHN.@chive.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: Western Union <wnunioncentaerbeninrepublic@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2015 07:32:38 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Western Union office Special New Bonus

. FROM DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
EMAL ADDRESS :(wnunioncentaerbeninrepublic@gmail.com)
COTONOU BENIN /ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU, ANKPA ROAD
Republic Of BENIN
WEB SITE.www.westernunion.com
http://site.www.westernunion.com/
(wnunioncentaerbeninrepublic@gmail.com)
Compliment Of The Day, Dear,
Western Union office Special New Bonus

ATTENTION DEAR CUSTOMER

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody, which yours are inclusive,Besides your where given a bill in order to receive your payment of which we didn$B!G(Bt 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 prices. In order words we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $98.USD to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.

But remember that after (3 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 (THREE 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 year project.

We have today transferred your first US$5000.00 available for your pickup at any western union office in your City, but still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $98usd which you supposed to pay before your transfer will be posted to your country for pickup.

NOTE: THE REASON WHY WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE $98USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE ACTIVATION FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF BENIN TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING,CRIMINAL ACT AND FOR SECURITY REASONS.

So be advise to send the $98.USD immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiving $5,000 as from tomorrow.
Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone

After the payment of $98.USD you will start receiving your money every day$5,000 through Money Gram Send the money through Money Gram Money Transfer with the information below,

Receive by: ......INNOCENT IGWEZE
City : ...........Cotonou,
Country: .........Benin
Text Question: ...WHAT COLOR?
Answer: ..........RED
Amount: ................US$98
Sender name......
Sender Address.....

The moment i receive the payment of $98.USD i will release the first payment information of $5,000 to you and you will pick up the money and i will send you another money. Hoping to hear from you.

NB: DO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU GOT THIS MAIL FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY.

We are waiting your prompt response.
REGARDS

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam