419 scam: Western Union Settlement Office <secretarygeneral@ucbmun.org> Congratulations on Your Settlement...

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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. )
- "million dollars" (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)
- "deadline" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "abidjan" (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.
- +22579630070 (Cote d'Ivoire, 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.
- rielingben@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Western Union Settlement Office <secretarygeneral@ucbmun.org>
Reply-To: <rielingben@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:07:09 -0800
Subject: Congratulations on Your Settlement...

Western Union Office
Rue du Dr. Crozet
Immeuble XL
Abidjan, Plateau
Ivory Coast
+225-796-300-70

Congratulations Dear Esteemed Customer,

You have been recalled as part of the people to receive a share of the $586 Million Western Union Settlement. The offer is part of a $586 Million settlement between the Federal Trade Commission and Western Union, however at this stage all Online Claims through the FTC Website have been closed due to the LAPSE in Government Funding, therefore Funding will continue and proceed ONLY by Western Union itself.

For more info: https://www.woodtv.com/home/western-union-scam-settlement-deadline-extended/1035876657

Western Union Manager Ben Rieling is assigned to your file and to complete a total payment of $24 Million Dollars as your share of the Settlement. Your first payments will be sent to you via Western Union Money Transfer in sums of $5,000 per transaction and the rest via a Bank to Bank Transfer.

Your first payment is Available for pick up by the receiver but you can not pick it up until we apply the payment to your address after you complete the Tax Insurance charges of $154 Only.

You can confirm your first payment with the below instructions.

1. Open website: https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/self-service/app/tracktransfer

2. Enter Tracking Number: 6159795400

3. Click Track Transfer to confirm by yourself.

To activate your first payment of $5000, you will need to settle the Tax Insurance Charges of $154 Only. It will take only one hour to activate your payment and you will receive your first payment today.

You are therefore recommended to send your fee immediately through either RIA Money Transfer, Money Gram Or Western Union to the following security detail:

Receiver's Name: Clay Tambi
Country: Ivory Coast
City: Abidjan
Question: Trust?
Answer: God
Amount: $154
Sender's Name:
Sender's Full Address:

We are urgently waiting for your payment details alongside a copy of the payment receipt today.

Best Regard
Contact Dr. Ben Rieling
Call Or SMS. +225-796-300-70
Email: rielingben@gmail.com
The Management Of Western Union Office.
(Moving Money For Better)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam