419 scam: "MR.JOHN DOUGLAS" <officeuse988@gmail.com> PICK UP YOUR PAYMENT NOW

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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. )
- "million 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)
- "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.
- +2296945266205 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.JOHN DOUGLAS" <officeuse988@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mgram5240@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2022 12:26:15 +0200
Subject: PICK UP YOUR PAYMENT NOW

Dear customer ,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the
payment 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 of high prices. In
other words we are now requesting that those involved should pay only
the sum of $199. 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 transfer to your designated address. But remember that
after (2 -3DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your
funds to Government Account, So to avoid problems, you have to send
the fee today so that you can get your funds Released without delay by
start receiving your daily install payment until your total fund is
exhausted.

Again after (2-3DAYS) we will enter a new project for the New Month
and that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before
we enter into the new project.

payment is available.
1) Senders Name: John Shabangu
2) MTCN Number: 62272243
3)Amount: $5000 USD.

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

So be advise to send the $97 immediately so that we will register your
payment on your name as you will be able to start receiving $5000
as from Today. Be advise that there is no time again for us to call
any person on phone unless you will call +229-69 452 662 05 After the
payment of $199. you will start receiving your money every day at sum
of $5000 via Money Gram until the total payment of $2.5 million Dollars
is completed paid in full to you. So what you will bereceiving per day
is $5000 and we will split it to avoid youhaving problem receiving it at
once.

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

Receivers name: okele IFOJA
Country:Cotonou ; Benin Republic
Text Question: In God
Answer: We trust
Amount required: $199.
Sender's Name:
MTCN#:
Sender's address:
Phone Number:

The moment we receive the payment of $199 i will release the first
payment information's of $50000 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.Swanson Smith.
Thanks for your patronage
Money-gram remittance office Benin republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam