419 scam: "Western Union Inc." <leslie.james114@gmail.com> Western Union Money Transfer Inc.

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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:

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. )
- "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. )
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.
- www.wu7@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union Inc." <leslie.james114@gmail.com>
Reply-To: www.wu7@aol.com
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 12:38:01 -0500
Subject: Western Union Money Transfer Inc.

Western Union Money Transfer Inc.
Address: Rite Aid, 408 Grand St,
New York, NY 10002, United States of America.
E-mail: { {www.wu7@aol.com} }
Phone: +1-(980) 441-187 text.

Attn Please,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all your
payments that are left in our custody which you were supposed to receive
earlier this year 2020. Besides, you were given a bill of $250 in order to
receive your payments of which we didn't hear from you for sometime now.
Hence, our western union is now offering a special bonus to help all our
customers that are having their payments in our custody due to prices in
other words; we are now requesting that you should only pay the sum of $50
usd only to receive your payments .Besides, my dear these are the
opportunity for you to comply and your funds shall be transferred to your
designated address ,remember that after (2 days) you did not make the
payment then we will retrieve your transfers, so try to avoid this problem
because this year is getting to an end.

Again after (two Days) we will enter a new project for next year and that
is the reason why we decided to help you before we enter into the new
project. So we advise you send only $50 usd today so that we will register
and update your payments for you to start receiving your $4,500 usd daily
as from today, Be advised that there is no time again for us to call any
person on phone so after the payment of $50 usd you will start receiving
your money every day $4,500 through western union until your total amount
of funds $985,000.00 U.S Dollars is fully paid to you. Below are the mtcn
numbers which you will use to pick up the first $4,500 it will be updated
in a few hours time once we receive the fee from you.

YOU'RE PAYMENT OF $ 4,500.00 USD DETAILS
Sender's Name: Arben Isufi
MTCN ...NUMBER..112 581 7781
https://www.westernunion.com/global-service/tracktransfersuccess
Question ... Time
Answer ... 4hrs
Amount ... $4,500.00

Do not expose these numbers to anybody else. You should send the $50 usd
BUYING AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD CARD,OR STEAM WALLET CARD OR GOOGLE PLAY CARD
of your choice worth of $50 usd and once you buy the card, scratch it so
that I can see the card Pin via photo, send me the photo of the card or you
scan the card and send to me.

Note; this is the only payment you are required to make in this regard for
every other fee waived by the Federal Ministry of Finance. As soon as we
confirm the fee today, we will immediately activate your mtcn # and notify
you then you go and pick up your fist $4,500 today as stated. Please note
that you need to go along with your passport I.D or Driver's license or any
Government issued ID Card when you need to pick up the transfer today okay.
Waiting on your urgent response.

Sincerely,
Amanda Dale.
E-mail: { {www.wu7@aol.com}}
Phone: +1-(980) 441-187 text.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam