419 scam: "scott" <scott@montgomeryprint.com> MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "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. )
- "mtcn" (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 transfer control number" (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. )
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "moneygramoffice55@yahoo.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "moneygramoffice55@yahoo.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.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +22994683059 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "scott" <scott@montgomeryprint.com>
Reply-To: moneygramoffice55@yahoo.cn
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 10:41:50 -0400
Subject: MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN. FOREGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
TELEPHONE +229-94-68-30-59
CONTACT EMAIL,( moneygramoffice55@yahoo.cn )
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS OF USD$2,500. 000. 00 CERTIFIED FUNDS

Happy new year to your entire family,

I want to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic has Approved your Money $2.5Million United State Dollars on 13th of march 2012.This instruction was giving through (Federal Ministry of Finance Benin Republic) for the new year project.I tried my possible best to make sure that your name is listed among the peoples which their fund will be transfer out of this country which with the help of God Almighty achieved.Look all I want you to do now is for you to go any Western Union and send the sum of ($150) , they need this Money to show that your Fund belongs to you.

Therefore, i want you to call me as soon as you received this message number to call is +229-94-68-30-59 .So get please get back to me now with the information of the payment so that you can be able to pick up your Money this Morning.

This is the infromation you will use to send the money

Reciever Name:... Mr GABRIEL EZE C
Location: ...Cotonou,
Country: ...Benin Republic
Text Q: ....How much?
Answer:::::....$150
Mtcn::::

Then click tracking and enter the number; 333 656 78 enter senders first name (John) enter senders last name (Mansaray and then click tracking so that you can see the status of the payment.

Money Transfer Control Number 333 656 78
Senders First Name====:John
Senders Last Name:====Mansaray
AMOUNT==========$10,000

Therefore, i want you to call me as soon as you received this message number to call is +229-68-44-91-10.

Finally urgent send us the money to enable us proceed on your payment immediately. above listed information is our account's information for you to send the money through Money Gram transfer been our transfering charge for your already mandated $10,000 usd.
Your urgent respond is highly needed .
CONTACT EMAIL,( moneygramoffice55@yahoo.cn )

FROM OCEANIC BANK PLC
MR PETER JOHN. DIRECTOR GENERAL
MONEY GRAM OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN. FOREGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam