419 scam: "Mr Betty Knokey." <mikhaneh2002@yahoo.com> MEDIATE TRANSFER THROUGH MONEYGRAM.

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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:
- "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. )
- "inheritance funds" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
- "mon_gram33@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.
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.
- +22999487055 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr Betty Knokey." <mikhaneh2002@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: mon_gram33@w.cn
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 17:03:59 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: MEDIATE TRANSFER THROUGH MONEYGRAM.

Attn legal Beneficiary;
This is to inform you that we have arranged your payment of ($1.5 million) united state dollars in atm payment card on behalf of the Federal Republic of Benin Government, Under the co-operation of the new civilian Head of State, President DR BONI YAYI and the Governor of Central Bank Of Benin,Mr Philippe-Henri Dacoury-Tabley held a meeting last week concerning your payment, about your Inheritance funds.
you are listed and approved for this payments to be sent to you through Money Gram money transfer Office.Your payment will be sending to you by money Gram, the amount you will receive per day is $5000 dollars The minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently standards track details you need to pick up your ($5000dollars) payment by Money Gram, you will receive every day till you receive the $1.5 million, now no need to send you this atm card because you cannot get the atm card due to the atm master card contain large money on it.
The director administrator trust funds have already signed your payment,kindly contact the below person who is in position to release your payment by Money Gram per $5000dollars a day.
Contact Person Mr Ben Anthony +229-99-48-70-55, Money Gram Transfer E-mail: (mon_gram33@w.cn ) The financial Money Gram payment center has been mandated to issue out your payment and you have to stop any further communication with any other person(s) or office(s) to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.

Note that the administrator payment need this details from you to process your
payment;
Your. Receiver--------
Your. Country-------
Your. City--------
Your.Tel-------
Your. Test question-------
Your. Answer--------
Your. Passport--------
Comply with mrBen Anthony now because as soon as you sent this required details to him he will start sending your payment by MoneyGram to you.
BestRegard,
Mr Betty Knokey.

IM

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