419 scam: OFFICE FILE <office-----fil3319@att.net> Attention: The Owner of this email Address,

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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. )
- "federal republic of benin" (Benin, Cameroon, etc. are no Federal Republics, unlike Nigeria where this type of scam was invented)
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: OFFICE FILE <office-----fil3319@att.net>
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 20:43:35 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Attention: The Owner of this email Address,

Attn Beneficiary:

This is to notify you that after the meeting held on 13Th of January
2011. His Excellence the PRESIDENT OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN. Has
instructed this Department to send your funds through money gram
transfer for easier receive of your inherited funds without any further
delay. to avoid paying money to the fraud stars that is going on through
the WORLD.

Now we have arranged your payment of (($4,500,00,)) to be sent to you
through money gram transfer payment: Your payment will be send to you by
money gram the amount you will receive per day is ($4,500,00,)The
minister trust funds of Benin Republic will send you the currently
standards track details( REFERENCE NUMBER) you need to pick up your
($4,500,00,) payment by money gram you will receive every day till you
receive the $($4,500,00,)

Now the direct or administrator trust funds have already signed your
payment, now you are free to comply with we money gram payment office on
this.However, kindly contact the below person who is in position to
release your (REFERENCE NUMBER), also note that you would be responsible
for any payment that is needed by money gram in other to complete
their work for you.

Contact E-mail: (moneygrampayment@ligao.cc) Mr. Larry Don.

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 or office to avoid any hitches in receiving your payment.

Therefore the only fee you have to pay them is $95 united dollars only
use to renewing of your file today for the Activation of the (MONEY GRAM
REFERENCE NUMBER)

Meanwhile the Management of money gram Transfer Benin Republic Head Office and our Motto is To Serve

You Better.

So send your details information to process your payment:

Your name============

Receiver name=======

Country=============

City================

Tel=================

Test question=======

Answer==============

Occupation ==============

Comply now because as soon as you sent this required details and also
the payment of $95 usd which is needed to Mr. Peter Smith. He will send
you your (MONEY GRAM REFERENCE NUMBER) so you can receive you payment by
Money Gram office near you.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION

YOU ARE NOT FORCE TO COMPLY..... SO IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED DON'T RESPOND TO THIS OFFICE AS WE

WILL TAKE LEGAL ACTION ON YOU.

Regards to you and your family,

Mrs. Angela Cicila Smith.

Money Gram Head of Foreign Operations

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam