419 scam: WESTERN UNION <mike222kelvin@gmail.com> WESTERN UNION CHRISTMAS BONUS

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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. )
- "hundred thousand united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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.
- westernacceesbank01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: WESTERN UNION <mike222kelvin@gmail.com>
Reply-To: westernacceesbank01@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2021 09:51:07 -0800
Subject: WESTERN UNION CHRISTMAS BONUS

FINANCIAL MINISTER OF. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN .
FOR GIN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
WEBSITE.www.westernunion.com
: http://site.www.westernunion.com/

Attention: Beneficiary,

This is to notify all our clients about the latest development
concerning all the PAYMENT that are left in our custody. which yours
are inclusive Besides,

your were given a bill of $98in order to receive your PAYMENT of
which we didnâ€™t hear from you for sometime now.

Hence forth our (WESTERN UNION) is now offering a Special bonus for
this End of year to help all our customers that are
having their PAYMENT in our custody due to high price. in order words
we are now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of
$98to receive all their PAYMENT abandoned in our custody. Besides, my
dear, This is the opportunity for you and you have to comply and your
funds shall be transfer to your

destination address. But note that after (4DAYS) if you did not make
the payment of $98 then we will divert your funds to government
treasuring account to avoid problem or we will cancel the payment
because this year is not last year,

Note: That after the (FOUR DAYS ) We will enter A new project and
that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we
enter the new project
So be advice to send $98 immediately if you still willing to claim
your payment so that we will register your payment once we receive the
fee because you will start receiving your payment as from tomorrow
morning by 11 am our time here.

After the payment of $98 we will give you the full information to pick
up your first payment of $3,500.00 through western union until you
receive the total sum of one Million five Hundred Thousand United
State Dollars ($750,000)
So get back us with your full information so that we will give you the
information where to send the $98 to renew your payment file then you
will start receiving your funds starting from tomorrow

Your Full Name....................
Your Current Address...................
Both your office and home telephone number...............
Country.....................
Your City...................
Your Age.....................
your attachment of your passport...................
Your Occupation................................

Furthermore, After filling the above information then Contact us with
this Below Email Address(westernacceesbank01@gmail.com)

Contact person/ Dr Elton West

Country/ Republic of Benin

Note: that we do this to help all our customers so don't delay because
any delay will make us to cancel your payment or divert payment to
government to avoid problem because we don't have such time to delay
anymore.

I am looking forward to hear from you . immediately to enable us to
release your payment in any western union but fall to do so you will
loose your payment

I wish you good luck.
Yours in service
Mr Frank Williams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam