419 scam: wu office <redatula@link.net> GOOD MORNING THIS IS WESTERN UNION AGENT STAFF.

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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. )
- "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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "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 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.
- erickno14e@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: wu office <redatula@link.net>
Reply-To: mr.thomaswilliams@outlook.com
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2017 15:38:18 +0100
Subject: GOOD MORNING THIS IS WESTERN UNION AGENT STAFF.

HELLO GOOD MORNING THIS IS WESTERN UNION AGENT STAFF.

I have sent you several notices concerning the claim of your benefit that was paid to you as compensation from Africa following my petition against the
Government as a human right activist to compensate you with the sum of $1,500,000.00 USD But I have not heard from you ever since and I hope you will reply this last notice. You were meant to be receiving $10,000.00 usd daily until it completes the correct amount of $1,500,000.00 USD For better understanding of what I mean, please copy this link: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/self-serve/app/tracktransfer , Then enter the following details on the displayed box fields and click CHECK STATUS to track your money online with,

(1) Sender's Name:--------------SAMEER Mirza.
MTCN : -------------- 625-791-3539
Text Question:--------------- In God
Answer: --------------- We Trust
Amount: --------------- USD $5000
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX
(2) Sender's Name:-------------- SAMEER FIDEL.
MTCN : -------------- 4048-6233-22
Text Question:------- In God
Answer: --------------We Trust
Amount: --------------USD $5000

The status now shows Available for pick up by receiver before it will blank up due to hackers 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 $250 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 $250 TO BELOW INFORMATION OKAY.

RECEIVER NAME; I will give you the receiver name if you are ready to make the payment now.
COUNTRY;............ BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY................COTONOU
TEST QUESTION; UGENT
ANSWER; YES
AMOUNT; $250
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 2 (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 150 FOR US TO REACTIVATE YOUR TRANSFER AND DIRECT IT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP IN YOUR COUNTRY TODAY.

Regards.
The Western Union Money Transfer.
Contact here if you did not get me on this one,here is another Email to reach me manager: erickno14e@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam