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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Money Gram Branch Head Office " <"www."@wind.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: "Money Gram Branch Head Office " <limitedcitizenbank@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2017 03:14:53 +0900 (JST)
Subject: From The Desk of the Director

From The Desk of the Director
Of Transfer Unit Department
Money Gram Branch Head Office Tema Cotonou Benin Republic

ATTENTION DEAR, PLEASE READ THIS MESSAGE VERY CAREFUL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION

I have sent you several notices concerning the claim of your benefit that was paid to you as compensation from Benin Republic following my petition against the Government since 2015 as the a human right activist to compensate you with the sum of $4.500, 000.00 USD But I have not heard from you ever since and I hope you will reply this last notice. You were meant to be receiving $10,000USD daily until it completes the correct amount of $4.500, 000.00USD you are to receive. The payment has been made since 08/017/2017 as your daily payments also to let you know that the payment should be in two transaction with the maximum of $5,000 dollars each that is according the law of money gram’ here in Benin Republic which meant you cannot receive the $10,000 dollars in one transaction for your own notice so the two transactions will be $5,000 dollars each.

Here is the one information to pick up the first transaction:

Money Gram Reference number:86333218
Sender's First Name: Shoran
Sender's Last Name: Robinson
Track the Reference number by visiting https://secure.moneygram.com/track and enter the Reference number: 86333218 and the last name: Shoran you will find the payment available.

The status now shows Available for pick up by receiver because this amount has been on hold the system for security reasons, since I did not get any reply message from you after sending you several notices with the transaction details to enable you pick up your two first Reference number, you are strongly advised for the last time to go on to make the payment of $137USD for the activation charges via Money Gram money transfer immediately. And send the payment details via email as it clearly appear on the Money Gram slip because it is impossible and illegal to deduct the activation charges from the total funds transferred because of the lawful restriction that has been placed on your funds that restricts anyone from tempering with your funds.

This amount will be made available again within 20 minutes at your local nearest Money Gram office after you have settled the activation fee $137USD and I will avail you with the full details of the first 2 Reference Control Numbers of $5,000USD IMPORTANT NOTICE: If your payment for the activation fee is not received after two (2) days this time around, you risk forfeiting your benefit permanently. Send the activation charges via Money Gram money transfer or Western Union money transfer immediately with the information below.

Receiver Name.: PHILIP USMAN
Address.:Rue 55 Awa Eco Rd
City.:Cotonou
Country.:Benin Republic
Test Question.:When
Answer.:Toady
Amount. ;$137

Also send to us the Senders Name and Phone Number with Your address after the $137 USD is send and your first two reference number will be available to pick up the $5,000USD and Feel free to call me on this number: +22968322291
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Eric Joe

Money Gram Transfer Unit Director/Human Right Activist
Money Gram Branch Head Office Tema Benin

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