419 scam: "Western Union" <info@rina.org> Your First Payment is available to pickup

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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "western.union-@outlook.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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 mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +22956721397 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Western Union" <info@rina.org>
Reply-To: western.union-@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:08:38 -0700
Subject: Your First Payment is available to pickup

WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER
COTONOU HEAD OFFICE Lot B 2028
Agori Abomey-calavi 08 Bp 765 Cotonou
Cotonou, Littoral Republic Du' Benin.
Tel: +229 56721397

Attn: Beneficiary,

This is to notify all our customers about the latest development concerning
all the payment that are left in our custody, which yours are inclusive
Besides, Be informed that United Nations In conjunction with Benin Republic
Government wishes to compensate the sum of $5 Million Dollar ($5,000,000.00
USD) to all the Scam Victims in Africa, US, Asia and Europe and your first
payment of $5000.00 has been sent to you through Western Union Money
Transfer.

Note that you are going to receive two payments every day, your first
payment of $5000.00 we transfer in the morning time by 11:30AM in your
country time and second payment of $5000.00 we be in Evening by 4:30PM,
until your total fund of $5,000,000.00 USD Dollar is complete transferring
to you through our Western Union Transfer.

Note; you're going to send $100.00 for activation fee, this is the only
payment you are required to make in this regards for every other fee have
been waived by Romuald Wadagni the current Minister of Economy and
Finance, Benin Republic, Also, Don't expose this numbers to anybody else
for security reason,

YOUâ€™RE PAYMENT OF $5000.00 USD DETAILS

Sender's Name: :..... Romuald Wadagni
MTCN#:..696-661-0881
Amount: :.....$5000.00
Track your payment here:
https://www.westernunion.com/web/global-service/track-transfer
Your Western Union MTCN#: 696-661-0881 payment in our system waiting to be
released, as soon as you send this activation fee of $100.00 and that is
only money you will be sent.

I want you to send the Activation fee of $100.00 USD Dollar through Western
Union Office with our Accountant Agent JACINTA KATHENA NTHENYA.

Receiver Name..... Jeremiah Uche
Country.....Benin Republic
City.....Cotonou
Text Question.....when
Answer.....Today
Amount.....$100.00 USD
Get back to us with below details:
M t c n number...
Sender's Name.....
Mobile Number.....
Occupation.....

The moment you do that, write out the payment information written on The
payment slip, forward it back to us which will enable in Confirming the
payment you sent.

Note; this is the only Payment you are required to make in this regards for
every other fee Have been waived by the Ministry Economy and Finance Benin
Republic . As soon as we confirm the Fee today, we will immediately
activate your Western Union MTCN# and notify you then, you go ahead and
pick up your $5000.00 today as stated. Please note that you need to go
along with your passport ID or Driver's license when you need to pick up
the transfer today okay.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Henry Clinton .
Secretary General Western Union Benin Republic.
Call or WhatsApp : +229 56721397
Email Address : western.union-@outlook.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam