419 scam: "INFO WU"<info@alexthornton.com> ***SPAM*** Western Union transferring payment head office

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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22998759377 (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.
- info.wu@citromail.hu (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "INFO WU" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info.wu@citromail.hu>
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2017 11:50:08 +0100
Subject: ***SPAM*** Western Union transferring payment head office

Western Union transferring payment head office
741 Rue Des Franciscans Adido gome
Benin Republic / Lome broade
P.O Box 9263
E-mail: {info.wu@citromail.hu}
Phone +229-98759377

Attention my dear

I know it is because of your past expenses that make you not to believe me but I told you before that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what shall it profit a man to gain material things and lose your soul, any way there is good news now, I raised some money to help you out and make sure that your payment will be release to you the same day you send the $78.00 usd as well.

I borrowed money yesterday after service from my Pastor, then you have to send the remain balance now only $78.00 usd but I don't see the reason you have to keep silent on me, honestly I am just disappointed at your behaviors before because you know that I cannot deceive you, Just pay the
$78.00 usd and leave rest for me watching me 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 $78.00 usd for the Stamp and activation charge before you can receive the payment today, please send the charge through western union immediately, I have assured you a time
without number that this is genuine and legitimate that definitely you must receive your $2.500,000.00 usd.

I swear If I fail to release your payment after you send the $78.00 usd as I promise do count on me, I cannot fail you, I promise you,don’t fear as soon as you send the $78.00 usd today please leave the rest to me and see if I am lie to you because I cannot use my life swear because of$78.00 usd, how can I swear against my life because of this small amount? It is to show you that I am telling you the truth.

So make sure that you try your possible best to look for the money and Pay it immediately via western union with the Payment Information Below:western union or Money Transfer or Money gram

Receiver Name :::::::: MAC TORAH
Country :::::::: Benin Republic
City :::::::: Cotonou
>Question :::::::: what color
Answer :::::::: Blue
Amount :::::::: $78.00 usd
Money Transfer Control Number :::::::: (M.T.C.N)
Sender's name ::::::::

I promise you as soon as we hear from you with the payment of $78.00 usd Today we shall send your pick up information the same day you send the $78.00 usd I swear.

Yours Sincerely
Mr. Paul Larry
Foreign Operation Manager
Phone +229-98759377

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam