419 scam: Mark Henry <markhenry4748@gmail.com> Western Union (MTCN)

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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.
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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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.
- markhenry4748@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mark Henry <markhenry4748@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2022 18:18:55 -0600
Subject: Western Union (MTCN)

This Is Your Western Union (MTCN) XXXX960069
Website: http://www.westernunion.com/
Address: 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.Benin Republic
Email:markhenry4748@gmail.com

DEAR : VALID CUSTOMER

Sequel to the meeting held today with United States Government,
through Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Government
has warn you to stop further communication/dealing with any banks that
have no website due to fraud going on worldwide. Any bank that is
contacting you without an official website shouldn't be trusted.
Please view our website now: www.westernunion.com.

The United States Government instructed us to pay you via western
union in installment of Five Thousand USDollars daily till the amount
is completely paid to you, we have transferred your first installment
payment today for your pick-up at any western union worldwide, but
still on-hold due to none Federal Bureau of Investigation DOCUMENT
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FILES of Transfer Document in your payment
file, which will cost you ($100.00) You are require to pay before your
daily transfer will be made available to you today. Track your first
payment online now using senders first name and last name as directed
below:

https://wumt.westernunion.com/asp/orderStatus.asp?country=BJ

Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) XXXX960069
Sender First Name:Mark
Sender Last Name:Henry

Track your first installment of Five Thousand USDollars daily online
now, You're required to pay for Federal Bureau of Investigation
DOCUMENT CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FILES of Transfer Document fee to
DR. OGUGUA PAUL CHIKE, and send copy of your international passport
which you will use to pick up your daily $5,000 usd in your country
today together with the payment information of $100 immediately okay.
Note that the only fee you are to send to us is for your fund DOCUMENT
CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FILES to ease you pick up the first payment
of $5000 today as soon as possible. You have to comply back with the
instructions given to you for the immediate use of your fund

Also when sending the payment information send it together with your
telphone number for easy communication to enable us keep you posted
once we release your payment. Our customer care service will call you
as soon as possible to enable you pick up your daily $5,000 usd in
your country. As soon as we receive the MTCN of Federal Bureau of
Investigation DOCUMENT CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP FILES of Transfer
Document of ($100.00) for security and safety purpose, I will proceed
to send your first installment of $5,000 usd today and you can pick up
the money at any Western Union worldwide. Your urgent response is
needed immediately .

Sincerely Regards,
MR. Mark Henry
Western Union Payment Officer
www.westernunion.com

=================================================================================
For further information,Copyright * 2003 Western Union Holdings, Inc.
Restrictions and Special Notes Money transfers sent to BENIN must
include a Test Question. Payee must present correct Money Transfer
Control Number (MTCN) and a valid ID to collect. US Dollars payouts
are subject to availability. FEXCO /Western Union Ireland is regulated
by the Financial Regulator Â© Western Union - Money Transfer Built by
Splash.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam