419 scam: "wumt00@workmail.com" <obacub@gmail.com> Urgent Attention Beneficiary

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "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.
MoneyGram money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. Along with Western Union it is a preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.

Fraud email example:

From: "wumt00@workmail.com" <obacub@gmail.com>
Reply-To: wumt00@workmail.com
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2022 01:29:39 +0100
Subject: Urgent Attention Beneficiary

Greeting Dear Client:

I am Director Mark Zoba, an official in charge of the Treasury Department,
International wire transfers of Benin Republic Federal Ministry of Finance

This is to inform you that your fund was brought to my desk as the director
& management of the WESTERN UNION & MONEY GRAM transfer have declared to
divert your fund to the government treasury account just because you can
not pay the wire transfer fee, In reasoning wisely to this complain I told
them to wait until I hear from you so that I will know the reason why you
decide to reject such amount of money USD $950,000.00 which is your
rightful & legal overdue inheritance payment just because of transfer fee.

The reason why I sent this email to you is because its your sweat and for
this reason you still have this last chance to claim your fund if you can
send USD $175 today because I have already arranged your wires ready for
its daily wires to you but failing to do this, I will allow them to have
power over your fund and am very sorry if you failed as this is the last
chance.

Therefore, send the USD$175 immediately you receive this email today and
also your full name and address if you want your USD$950,000.00 to be send
to you by western union OR Money gram transfer but the maximum amount
officially allow for it is USD$7000 per day until you receive your complete
USD$950,000.00 from here. The second option is for you to send me the full
details of your bank account if you want your funds to be fully transferred
by direct bank to bank wire transfer to your account at once.

After you have sent the $175 and email me the MTCN numbers, you are to
indicate your wish to receive your funds as I have stated above and the
funds will be released to you without any hitch.

Here is the western union or money gram information to send the fee to
avoid delay in receiving your fund and remember that I have done my best
for you and I will make sure that your wire will begin to be released to
you from the moment you sent this $175

Send the $175 now and send me an email with the Western Union MTCN numbers
when you send the money.

Receivers Name:... LUCY ODU
Country:...BENIN
City:....Cotonou.
Amount to send: ...$175
SEND MTCN NUMBER.... NEEDED

Send it and email the MTCN number, amount sent, name and address of sender
Thanks.
Director Mark Zoba
Treasury Department,
International Wire Transfers,
Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam