419 scam: "Mr.Mark Ben" <"www."@iris.ocn.ne.jp> Western Union Money Transfer

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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:
- "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. )
- "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)
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Mark Ben" <"www."@iris.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Mr.Mark Ben" <diamondbaplc@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Apr 2017 05:24:32 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Western Union Money Transfer

I have sent you several notices concerning the claim of your benefit
that was paid to you as compensation from Benin Republic following my
petition against the Government as a human right activist to compensate
you with the sum of $500,000.00USD But I have not heard from you ever
since and I hope you will reply this last notice. You were meant to be
receiving $10,000.00usd daily until it completes the correct amount of
$500,000.00USD For better understanding of what I mean, please copy this
link https://wumt.westernunion.com/ asp/order Status.asp?country=CN
browser Then enter the following details on the displayed box fields and
click CHECK STATUS to track your money online with,

(1) Sender's Name:-------------- Peter Iwunor
MTCN : -------------- 2923870680
Text Question:--------------- In God
Answer: --------------- We Trust
Amount: --------------- USD $5000
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
(2) Sender's Name:-------------- Peter Iwunor
MTCN : -------------- 9012759321 <%28901%29%20275-9321>
Text Question:--------------- In God
Answer: --------------- We Trust
Amount: --------------- USD $5000

The status now shows Available for pick up by receiver because this
amount has been on the system so long for security reasons, since I did
not get any reply message from you after sending you several notices
with the transaction details to enable you pick up your MTCN, Now you
are strongly advised for the last time to go on to make payment of $95
usd for the activation charges via western union money transfer
immediately with the details of the western union agent in Benin.

LIKE I SAID YOUR URGE TO SEND THE $95 TO BELOW INFORMATION OKAY.

RECEIVER NAME; DANIEL ILOCHI
COUNTRY;............ BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY................COTONOU
TEST QUESTION; WHO IS ABLE
ANSWER; GOD
AMOUNT; $95
MTCN...............

And send the payment details via email as it clearly appear on the
western union slip because it is impossible and illegal to em-bed the
activation charges from the total funds transferred because of the
lawful restriction that has been placed on your funds that restricts
anyone from tempering with your funds. This amount will be made
available again within 20 minutes at your resident local western union
office after you have settled the activation fee and I will avail you
with the full details of the first 2 M.T.C.N CONTROL NUMBERS of
$10,000,00usd.IMPORTANT NOTICE: If your payment for the activation fee
is not received after Four(4) days this time around, you risk forfeiting
your benefit permanently.

NOTE; YOU WILL BE PICKING UP YOUR TWO TRANSFER TODAY IMMEDIATELY YOU
SEND THIS 95 FOR US TO REACTIVATE YOUR TRANSFER AND DIRECT IT FOR YOU TO
BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP IN YOUR COUNTRY TODAY.

Regards
Mr. Anthony Robert
Western Union Money Transfer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam