419 scam: western union <creditunionofamerica01@gmail.com> $2,800,000.00 USD

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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. )
- "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. )
- "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)
- "jamewillie1@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.
- +22998789714 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- jamesubah02@safe-mail.net (Safe-mail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: western union <creditunionofamerica01@gmail.com>
Reply-To: jamewillie1@outlook.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2022 18:42:33 +0200
Subject: $2,800,000.00 USD

FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER WESTERN UNION
INT& OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC LOCATION.
RUEBPH141 KINGSTON AVENUE COTONOU BENIN.
E-mail:(jamesubah02@Safe-mail.net)
PHONE IS +229-98789714

Urgent-Attn,

We are happy to inform you officially that we received approval letter
today from Federal Ministry of Finance Office, authorizing our Bank to
program a total sum of $2,800,000.00 USD and pay you through our
western union transfer system for your easy pickup and warned against
any unforeseen delay that could make your fund not to get to you in a
timely manner.

The Federal Ministry of Finance chairman (Engr.Richard L.Daouda) have
submitted your payment file to the Benin Consulate for screening and
all data have being confirmed correct to pay you a total sum of
$2,800,000.00 USD as a result overdue contract payments so far. We
have been advised to send you $7,500 USD every day because westeren
union laws here in Benin Republic can only transfer a maximum of
$7,500 USD every day to you. We have today transferred your first
US$7,500 available for your pickup at any western union office in your
country, but still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $85
which you supposed to pay before your transfer will be posted to your
country for pickup.

For your convenience check your first $7,500 installment transfer
online clicks TRACKING and fill the bellow information on the space
provided atï¿½ western union moneyï¿½ transfer number #8551224598 Sender
First Name: OnwukaSender Last Name:Joseph security code:we shall send
to you after theconfirmation of your fee. You will pickup the US$7,500
USD at any western union office in your country after 20mins you send
the $85 activation fee of your daily installment account. You are to
send the activation fee today on our below information through Money
Gram or Western Union store close to you:-

RECEIP NAME====PHINO JOHNSON
COUNTRY ====== BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY =========COTONOU
AMOUNT====== $85.00 ONLY

As soon as you send the activation fee, send us the transfer reference
number information to enable us receive and proceed with immediate
transfer release of your US$7,500 USD today by giving you the security
code and making the money payable at your area.

Thanks for using our service while we wait your kindresponse,Yours
Faithfully,Mr.JAMES willie PHONE IS +229-55476089

E-mail:(jamewillie1@outlook.com)
Accountant Suppervisor western union Bank
DepartmentForeign Operations Manager

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam