419 scam: "DR.JOHNNIE NTIWAKU " <kinnan8@netvigator.com> PAYMENT MADE THROUGH MONEY GRAM TRANSFER

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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:
- "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. )
- "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.

Fraud email example:

From: "DR.JOHNNIE NTIWAKU " <kinnan8@netvigator.com>
Reply-To: money.gram.1@barid.com
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2015 00:07:32 +0800 (HKT)
Subject: PAYMENT MADE THROUGH MONEY GRAM TRANSFER

YOUR PAYMENT FILE WAS FORWARDED BACK TO US TODAY BY MONEY GRAM DEPARTMENT FOR CANCELLATION, ACCORDING TO, MR KEN UTALLA OF MONEY GRAM WHO FORWARD IT TO US, HE SAID THAT YOU REFUSED TO SEND THE REQUESTED $75.00 DOLLARS. THE REASON WE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU IS TO KNOW WHY YOU FAIL TO SEND THEM THE REQUESTED $75.00 DOLLARS, I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE REASON FINANCE MINISTER REDUCED THE TO AS LITTLE AS $75.00 DOLLARS IS TO MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY EXCUSE.

SO I URGE YOU TO TRY AND SEND THE PAYMENT TO THE MONEY GRAM IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU RECEIVE THIS EMAIL SO THEY WILL START SENDING YOUR $5.000 US DOLLARS DAILY, MAY I KINDLY INFORM YOU THAT THERE IS NO OTHER FEE TO BE PAID AFTER FEE ENCASE IF THAT IS THE REASON YOU FAIL TO SEND THE FEE TO THEM,I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WE WILL BE MONITORING THE TRANSFER AS FROM NOW ON OK.

THOUGH IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLY, WE WILL THEN PROCEED TO CANCEL THE FUND AND HAVE IT TRANSFERRED INTO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PURSE.

RECEIVER: ARINZE STEPHEN EZEOBODO
COUNTRY:BENIN CITY: COTONOU
QUESTION: A
ANSWER: B
AMOUNT:. . . . . . .$75.00
MTCN:. . . . . . . . . .
Sender's NAME . . . .
SENDER'S ADDRESS. . .

REGARDS AS AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU,
DR.JOHNNIE NTIWAKU
FINANCIAL CHAIRMAN
CENTRAL BANK OF BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam