419 scam: "Mrs. Sandra Synder" <mrs.sandra_synder@rediffmail.com> Re: Attn: Beneficiary,

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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. )
- "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.
- +22968449099 (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.
- western_union_m200@yahoo.fr (Yahoo, France; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Sandra Synder" <mrs.sandra_synder@rediffmail.com>
Reply-To: moneygram.moneygram1990@live.com
Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2012 20:16:15 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Re: Attn: Beneficiary,

Re: Attn:
Beneficiary,

There is an issue involving $850,000 US
Dollar which was called to Our Bank (CAPITAL CITY BANK) from THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE
OF BENIN REPUBLIC concerning your compensation of $850,000.00 USD has been
forwarded to Money Gram Agent
Office and An instruction has come directly from Mr. Andrew Jack of Ministry Of
Finance.

He asked us to start sending your fund install mentally
$8000.00 per a day through International Money Gram transfer. This type of
transfer means, you will be receiving $8000.00 every day through the
International Money Gram transfer until the total sum of $850,000 USD is
completely transferred to you.

As a matter of urgency,to effect your
first payment of $8000 through Money Gram, Now you have to Contact Mr. George Washington, the director Money
Gram on his contact below as he is the person in charge of your
payment.

The International Money Gram Agent Office:
Name: Mr. George
Washington
E-mail:western_union_m200@yahoo.fr
Tel Phone: +229 68449099.

Here is the details you needed to forward to
them, in order to help you pick the first payment of
$8,000.00.

Reconfirm your address:
Full Receiver name:
Personal
Telephone number:
Copy Of Your ID and Age:
City and Origin
Country.

Mrs. Sandra Synder.
Ministry of
Finance
Cotonou,Benin.Republic.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam