419 scam: "WESTERN UNION"<tokyo@ingni.com> Dear Esteem Customer

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- ",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)
- "lagos" (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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a 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.
- westernuniononline76@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "WESTERN UNION" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <westernuniononline76@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2018 13:45:02 -0500
Subject: Dear Esteem Customer

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
SEND MONEY WORLD WIDE.
OFFICE PHONE +441613941196
( westernuniononline76@gmail.com )

Attention.

What is real going on? I have sent you several emails since Yesterday without a respond from you' why?, We write in respect of your value funds worth $2,500,000,00 USD which have been legally approved by the authorities permit for payment but there is small ugly situation issue on your payment file which needs your urgent attention to solve the issue. Well your first payment $5000.00 USD Mtcn is ready for pickup in any Western Union nearby you but you can't pick it up right now because we have not yet activate your payment file that will help us renew your Mtcn number for checkmating and record keeping until the total amount of $2,500,000,00 USD is been transferred in your favor.

However we Western Union is not allowed to make all payment of $5000 at once to individuals person without proper identification for security reasons, so you have to make the payment of $255 USD for purchasing of your International Remittance Form (I.R.F) and (Activation) before we can release the full information your first payment text question and answer for further pickup at your western union agent location today.

Furthermore, Here is your Mtcn Number for your first payment $5000.00 USD so your are advice to track it now on your computer or mobile phone to confirm yourself it eyes witness.

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN):# 6439265338
Sender's name :Elizabeth Doody

Below is your first payment Details,
https://www.westernunion.com/au/en/self-service/app/tracktransfersuccess

You are advised to go to the nearest Western Union Money or MONEY GRAM Transfer agent around you and send the fee immediately because the fee is the only thing delaying your fund to be released as the fund is presently on our system. Below is the information you will use to send us the fee of $255 USD Via western union or Money Gram to enable us obtain the needed international remittance form to ensure you start receiving your payment today without any hesitation or obstacle okay.

Receivers Name........ Precious Ukpolo
Country....... Lagos Nigeria
Text Question....When
Answer......Now
Amount sent.......$255
Sender Name.......
Mtcn Number........

Every other logistics as regards to the smooth pickup of the $5000 to you has been well taking care of and you have nothing to worry about any form of illegality that may warrant security threat to your social lives as obedience and law abiding citizen, Just make sure that you have a valid I'D card as you will be ask to present that to your western union outlet before the money will be given to you as proof you as the right beneficiary. Call me upon receipt of this message. +441613941196

Yours sincerely
Thanks and looking forward to your prompt response
Mr. Norman King
( westernuniononline76@gmail.com )

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam