419 scam: "Mr. Frank Smith" <info@sivit.org> 216.33.196.163

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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. )
- "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.
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.
- +22999729843 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Frank Smith" <info@sivit.org>
Reply-To: mmoneygram458@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 03 Apr 2021 21:27:34 +0300
Subject: 216.33.196.163

Welcome to Money Gram Money Transfer
Send Money Worldwide office Department Of MoneyGram Cotonou
Benin Republic ADDRESS: 1500 Akpakpa Avenue, Cotonou;
Benin Visit Us Via Website: http://www.moneygram.com

Good News Mtcn Ref# 75834025

Dear customer,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the payments that are left in our custody, which yours is inclusive besides,when you are given a bill of Sum in order to receive your payment which we didn't hear from you for sometime now. Hence, our MONEY GRAM is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to high prices. In other words we are now requesting that those involved should pay only the sum of $97. to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and your funds shall be transferred to your designated address. But remember that after (2DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to the Government Account, So to avoid problems, you have to send the fee before 2days so that you can get your funds Released without delay..

Again after (THREE DAYS) we will enter a new project for the Month and that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new project.

click here to view your transaction status . https://secure.moneygram.com/track Your payment is available.

1) Sender's Name: Robertson Nnaji
2) MTCN Number: 75834025
3)Amount: $2,500 USD.

Track it with this link: https://secure.moneygram.com/track

So be advised to send the $97 immediately so that we will register your payment as you will be able to start receiving $2,500 USD as of Today. Be advised that there is no time again for us to call any person on phone unless you will call +229-99 72 98 43 After the payment of $97. you will start receiving your money every day at a sum of $2,500 USD through MoneyGram until the total payment of $2.3m is completed. So what you will be receiving per day is $2,500 USD

Therefore you are requested to send the fee via Western Union or MoneyGram money transfer with below information;

Receivers name: Ken Eze
Country:Cotonou ; Benin Republic
Text Question: Yes
Answer: Yes
Amount required: $97.
Sender's Name:
MTCN#:
Sender's address:
Phone Number:

The moment we receive the payment of $97 I will release the first payment information of $2,500 USD to you and you will pick up the money and I will send you another payment for pick up. Do not forget to track your transaction above!

Mr.
Thanks for your patronage
Money-gram remittance office Benin republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam