419 scam: WESTERN UNION TRANSFER <johnbowman3708@gmail.com> Attention Dear Beneficiary, Very Urgent

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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. )
- "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. )
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "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.
- wwwwesternunion0007@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION TRANSFER <johnbowman3708@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wwwwesternunion0007@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:50:06 +0100
Subject: Attention Dear Beneficiary, Very Urgent

Attention Dear Beneficiary, Very Urgent

Good day first of all let me introduce my self to you. My Name is Rev
Sister Rose Anyagbuo,The new elected Manager of Western Union Office
Benin Republic! I am writing this mail with deep sorrow, I saw your
name on our file list as one of the most beneficiary which did not
receive their fund valued which suppose to be transferring at the rate
of $4,500 per day during Mr.Larry, Godwin, David, susan, regime. I saw
your name on our file and find out that they are using that medium to
extort money out from you which is not normal.

So your are quickly inform to send this western union office $105 as
soon as you receive this email today. The reason i am emailing you
today is to inform you that Mr.Larry, Godwin, David and susan has been
sacked out since due to their illegal work, I am here to inform you
that the only thing that will lead you to receive your fund is by
trusting me and follow my direction and make sure you send us $105 to
enable us get the Transfer Number Code (KTU/ 191MG) from International
Monetary Fund and that has been the major problem and You paid much
amount of money to the previous workers in order to get your fund
which fails. Here i am to telling you that the reason you did not
receive your fund is because Mr.Larry, Godwin, David and susan did not
lead you to the direct way to get your fund, bear it in mind that due
to the Mr.Larry, Godwin, David and susan attitude our federal
Government has signed that your fund will not release to this Western
Union until you get the Transfer Number Code (KTU/ 191MG) So i want
you to know that your fund of $950.000.00 is still with the Federal
Government account but it will be release immediately to this Western
Union Office as soon as possible you send the $105 for Transfer Code
(KTU/191MG) I will be awaiting to hear from you immediately and tell
me when you will be able to get the needed $105.

I am here giving you guarantee and also 100% assurance that this is
the only money you will pay and after you pay it you will start
receiving your fund immediately.

Send the money through western Union Money Transfer:

1.Receiver Name:: Rose Anyagbuo
2.City/Country:Cotonou-Benin Republic
3.Question:::: Today.
Answer:::::: Today.
5.Amount::::: $105.
6.Mtcn..........

We look forward to your urgent positive response. Thanks so much for
your respectful cooperation and understanding SEND THE PAYMENT
INFORMATION OF THIS $105 SUCH AS THE MTCN: Furthermore, the total
amount to be transfer to you from this office is $950.000.00 Usd as
instructed by Mr JONA AKIM from the Ministry of Finance Cotonou-Benin
Republic.

Rev Sister Rose Anyagbuo,
Western Union Payment Officer
Email(wwwwesternunion0007@gmail.com)
Western Union region/United Nations.
Copyright Â© 2013 Western Union. All Rights RÃ©serve

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam