419 scam: "FROM MR MARK JAMES..........." <publicrelationofficer22@gmail.com> 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:

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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
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: "FROM MR MARK JAMES..........." <publicrelationofficer22@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2018 09:16:46 -0700
Subject: WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER

DEAR.
There is an issue with the WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER in the amount
of $10,000.00 USD directed in cash credited to file KTU/9023118308/03,
at the owner of this email address.
The International Monetary Fund contacted us for your compensation a
couple of hours ago due to your allocated security code.They said that
they choose to send it to an email address instead of a name. We are
unable to complete a transfer directed at an email address,so we
require some more information in order to complete this transfer.

FULL NAME:-----------------------------------
FULL CONTACT ADDRESS:---------------------------------------
MOBILE PHONE NUMBER:------------------
OCCUPATION:---------------------
MARITAL STATUS AND AGE: -----------------------------In order to
resolve this problem,please email us immediately.
As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the
requirements of payment of the western union charges, payment will be
made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from
The Western Union Transferring Bank.
When emailing,please use reference number 250-147 for our mutual convenience.

THE MANAGEMENT OF WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,OFFICE NIGERIA BRANCH.
Sincerely,
Mr Mark James.Western Union Payments
As we focus on making a difference in people's lives, people focus on
Western Union and acknowledge the we possibilities

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam