419 scam: MONEY GRAM OFFICE <".www.moneygram."@room.ocn.ne.jp> ATTENTION YOUR FIRST 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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
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.
- +22968972855 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- headoffice805@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: MONEY GRAM OFFICE <".www.moneygram."@room.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "MR. KEN CHUKWU" <headoffice805@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2017 01:40:17 +0900 (JST)
Subject: ATTENTION YOUR FIRST PAYMENT

MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER WORLDWIDE UNDER WORLD BANK PLC:
OFFICE OF THE MONEY GRAM TRANSFER. COTONOU
THE NEW MANAGE-RING DIRECTOR OF MONEY GRAM BENIN REPUBLIC.
NAME: MR. KEN CHUKWU
MY PHONE NUMBER IS: +229 68972855
E-mail:(headoffice805@gmail.com)
Money Gram Money Transfer EMS Post Office Agent Location
Benin Republic FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE

This is to inform you that this office was instructed to pay your fund $2.5Million U.S Dollars between now until end of (Nov ), 2017, per day you will receive the sum of $5,000 Dollars, However be informed that we have send the sum of $5000 Dollars this morning to avoid cancellation of your payment, you have only 24 hours to call this office upon the receipt of this email, the maximum amount you will be receiving per day starting from today is $5000 in two different payments and the Money Transfer Control Number of today is below. Federal high court requested you to pay $280.00usd activation fee today so that you can pick up the $5000 today.

We have today transferred your first US$5000.00 available for your pickup at any Money Gram office in your City, but still on hold due to the unpaid activation fee of $280.00USD which you supposed to pay before your transfer will be release for pickup.

NOTE: THE REASON WHY WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE$280.00USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE ACTIVATION FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF BENIN REPUBLIC TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING, CRIMINAL ACT AND FOR SECURITY REASONS.

For your convenience check your first $5000.00 installment transfer online, below is your first payment information.

Sender Name:Ojadi Ojadi
Money gram Reference Number (REF):69231415
Question= Sent
Answer= Yes
Amount Sent: $5000usd

YOU REQUIRE TO SEND $280.00usd TODAY THROUGH MONEY GRAM THAT IS ONLY PAYMENT YOU WILL PAY.

Receiver Name ------ EZE CHALS
Location-------------- Cotonou
Country--------------- Benin republic West Africa
Test Question---------------When
Test Answer-----------------Today
Mtcn: --------------
Amount----------$280.00usd
Sender Name :-----------------------

Furthermore you advised to call us as the instruction was passed that within 24 hours without hearing from you. Count your payment canceled. Number to call is below listed Manager Director Office MR. KEN CHUKWU
for activation after paying the $280.00usd today E-mail addresses : (headoffice805@gmail.com)

BEST REGARDS,
THE NEW MANAGE-RING MR. KEN CHUKWU DIRECTOR OF MONEY GRAM BENIN REPUBLIC.
MY PHONE NUMBER IS: +229 68972855
EMAIL: (headoffice805@gmail.com)
Remittance Dept. Money Gram Republic Of Benin Constituency

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam