419 scam: western union < union@isis.ocn.ne.jp> Available for pick up by receiver

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "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.
- unionwestern073@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: western union < union@isis.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: western union <unionwestern78@outlook.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2019 17:58:02 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Available for pick up by receiver

BENEFICIARY/WESTERN UNION,

I want to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00US Dollars
through Western union as we have been given the mandate to transfer your
full over due payment total sum of $500.000.00USD, via western union by
the Ministry of Finance. I tried reaching you on phone to give you all
the information on phone but I couldn't get through yesterday, So I
decided to email you the MTCN and sender name so that you can pick up
the $5000.00 to enable us send another $5000.00 today as you know we
will be sending you $5000.00 only per day. And it was agreed that you
will pay the transfer clearance certificate which sum of $125.00 before
the release of the payment to you, take note of this that you will pay
the $125.00 before picking up your first payment.

Please pick up this information and locate any western union around to
pick up the $5000.00 and call the Operation Manager Mr.Mike John,
because he is the person in charge of your payment, and he can send you
another payment today once you contact him, phone line Call+299-99387995
Email(unionwestern073@gmail.com)contact him once you picked up the
$5000.00 today.

Below is the western union information to pick up the $5000.00; which
you will be receiving daily after you sent them their transfer clearance
certificate of $125.00 and it will serve as re-confirmation of your
payment file in their office.

1.SENDER NAME:... KEITH ALEXANDER
2.TEST QUESTION:....WHAT COLOR?
3.TEST ANSWER:......WHITE.
4.AMOUNT ..........$5,000 USD
5.MTCN...... :9174826755(Available for pick up by receiver)
Website; www.westernunion.comtrack it and be sure ok.
They will be waiting to hear from you with the transfer clearance
certificate payment of $125.00 today; And you can use this below
information to
send the transfer charges today.

1. Receiver Name :======= JAMES UBAH
2.. City/Country:==== Cotonou - Benin Republic.
3. Question========Who is Able
4. Answer:======== God
5. Amonut:======== US$125.00
6. MTCN: ========
7. Sender Name=====
Be advice that $125.00 transfer clearance certificate is compulsory as
they told me that is the only money you will pay until you receive your
payment completely. Endeavor to E-mail your direct telephone number
because you will call once the payment information is sent to you.
Regards

Mr.Tony Bernard
Email; (unionwestern073@gmail.com)
Phone: +299-99387995
Western Union Money Transfer

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam