419 scam: MONEY GRAM TRANSFER UNIT <moneygram-paymentcenter@grad.com> YOUR TRANSFER NOTIFICATION

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "moneygram" (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. )
- "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.
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.
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.
- +22993413717 (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.
- moneygram-paymentunit@grad.com (Grad; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: MONEY GRAM TRANSFER UNIT <moneygram-paymentcenter@grad.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:13:57 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR TRANSFER NOTIFICATION

P {
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UL {
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OL {
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Welcome

Â
FOREIGN OPERATION
MANAGERÂ MONEYÂ GRAMÂ INT'L.
OFFICE
BENIN REPUBLIC
LOCATION. RUE
BPH141 KINGSTON AVENUE COTONOU BENIN.
REF: MT89TQ
CONTACT
PERSON MR.JERRY ADAMS
PHONE
+229-93413717
OUR
CONTACT EMAIL: moneygram-paymentunit@Grad.com
Â

This is to
notify you about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left
in our custody which yours are inclusive,besides your were given a bill of
$93,in order to receive your payment of which we didnâ€™t hear from you for
sometime now....

Hence, our Money Gram Head office is now offering a
Special BONUS to help all our customers that are having their payment in our
custody due to price. In order words we are now requesting that those involve
should pay only the sum of $68. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our
custody.
Â
Besides my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and
have your funds transfer to your designated address.
Â
Note that after (3
DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to Government
Treasury,or we will cancel the payment for this year because this year is not
like last year.
Â
Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new projectÂ
for the year and that is the reason why we decided to helpÂ all our customers
before we enter into the new project.
Â
Be advised to send the $68.00
immediately to enable us register your payment and for you to start receiving
your $5000 as from tomorrow.
Be advise that there is no time again for we to
call any person on phone unless you
Â
After the payment of $68.00 you
will start receiving your money every day$5000 through Money Gram until your
total fund of $250,000.00usd is completely transferred to you.
Â
Send the
$68 through Money Gram Money Transfer with the information
below,
Â
Receiver's name== Okechukwu Osita Innocent
Country==Â Benin
Republic.
City===Â Â Â Â Â Cotonou
Text Question== In God
Answer== We
Trust.
Amount=$68.
Â
The moment we receive the payment of $68 we will
release the first payment information of $5000 to you for your pick up, We look
forward hearing from you soon.
Â
REGARDS
MR.CHIDI BELLO.
FOREIGN OPERATION
MANAGER
MONEY GRAM OFFICE BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam