What to do if you get a scam email that fraudulently uses the name Western Union
By nonew3
@nonew3 (1941)
United States
July 22, 2010 3:43pm CST
I just checked the spam folder of my email account as many emails that are not spam get sent there by the not-quite-perfect spam filters, and I found an email that fraudulently uses the name Western Union to try to get money from the proposed victim, and also gives contact information and other information that sounds suspiciously similar to Nigerian 419 emails (a mobile number that appears to be in Nigeria or somewhere else in Africa, and misspellings and terrible grammar--those darn fraudsters don't know English very well).
I then proceeded to call Western Union, and they gave me an email address to forward the email to. They then said that after reviewing it, they will put the contact information on their black list so that the person can never receive money from Western Union again, and will warn people about this matter.
While I don't think that I can give the email address here, I do suggest calling Western Union at the contact number given on their corporate web site (NOT calling the fraudsters!) if you receive a spoof email like what I received.
Do NOT give the fraudsters any of your contact information and other personal information whatsoever. And, for goodness sakes, DON'T send them any money!
This is the exact email I received, copied and pasted, so that you folks can have an idea of what such a fraudulent email might look like:
Western Union payment
Western Union®
Welcome to Western Union
Send Money Worldwide
Good day;
I wish to inform you that your outstanding debt. has been scheduled for immediate payment to you Via Western Union Money Transfer . You are to contact Western Union for your payment of USD$1,500.000.00 USD with the below information’s.
FULL NAME:......................
CONTACT ADDRESS:...............
DIRECT PHONE/CELL NUMBER………………. (for easy communication)
Send the above listed information’s to the Fund Verification Department Office on the information below:
Contact Person: Mrs.Lora Maxwell
Mobile: +229 9726 9672
E-mail:( westernumtransfer@gala.net)
As soon as this information is received,and you have complied with the requirements of payment of the western union charges,payment will be made to your nominated bank account or at the counter directly from The Western Union Transfering Bank.While emailing kindly use reference number 250-153 for our mutual convenience.I will advise that you call Mrs.Lora on the phone (+229 9726 9672) on receipt of this mail to facilitate your transfer.
Best Regards
MR.ROBINSON EWELEM.
Western Union Money Transfer®
Western Union® welcoming you to our World
Send and Receive Money Worldwide
1 person likes this
3 responses
@MagicGuy (157)
• United States
22 Jul 10
It's a good thing you understand it's a scam, but there isn't really anything you can do about it except report it to the FBI. Yes, really...
this is the 'team' that works with the FBI, the Internet Crimes Complaint Center, here is the link to the site...
www.ic3.gov
-Magic
1 person likes this
@pmbhuntress09 (1608)
• United States
23 Jul 10
I think the amount of money is the funny part figuring that you can't send any amount over $500 through Western Union. That is the maximum allowed per each money transfer. I cant imagine them transferring over a million dollars via money transfer, that can only be done via a bank wire not Western union. I sold over $700 e-gold to a company a few years back, and they had to send me to money transfers through WU, because the maximum was at $500.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
23 Jul 10
If I get any email that fraudulantly uses someone's name I report it to the company being misrepresented, to the domain from which the mail came, and to my own email provider, then I deleat the message, and mark it as spam.