419 scam: "Money Gram"<moneygram11@w.cn> SETTLEMENT OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENT

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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.

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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. )
- "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)
- "foreign remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "moneygram11@w.cn" (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.
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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Money Gram" (may be fake)
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:14:52 +0100
Subject: SETTLEMENT OF OUTSTANDING PAYMENT

MoneyGram Remitting office
2783 Plaza,Cotonou,
Benin Republic ECOWAS
House Complex
Tel:(229) 98225943

June., 15TH, 2010

Attn: Beneficiary,

Notice to Foreign debts.

We write to bring to your notice that after the recent extra ordinary meeting jointly held with all the finacial house here in Cotonou Benin Republic. concerning settlement of Foreign Debts and finding ways to abolish government stringent conditions imposed by these Finance Houses prior to transfer of funds.

However, the ECOWAS representatives having watched these ugly developments, and has come up with the following resolutions to enable them avoid future re-occurrence of these unfortunate developments especially to foreign who were denied the opportunity of receiving their funds years back.

In view of the above, the (ECOWAS) Regional Body has noted that you are among these foreigners listed that were affected by these bureaucracies,therefore,the sum of USD1.500,000.00 has been deposited to this MoneyGram office as your compensation and we the MoneyGram authority here in Cotonou Benin Republic will be sending you the sum of $10,000.00 every day by day until you receive your total sum of USD1.500,000.00 complete as soon as you contact ( Mr.Marcel Owurah ) the director of foreign remittance department MoneyGram authority via the below stated contact addres.

Contact Person: Mr.Marcel Owurah
E-mail: moneygram11@w.cn
Tel: (+229) 98225943

With you personal details as requestd below since we have been instructed them to pay you accordingly without further delay.

Your name................
country................
phone no...............
address/city..........
age/sex...............
occupation.............

Note: that you have to contact the director of foreign remittance department MoneyGram remitting office with your personal details as requested above to enable him verify in our official file and credit the first payment of $10,000.00 to your name and address immediately.

Best Regards,
Ms.Joy Winta

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