419 scam: JOHNSON BROWN <www.456.@grace.ocn.ne.jp> FROM THE OFFICE OF WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

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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. )
- "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.
- +22998796860 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: JOHNSON BROWN <www.456.@grace.ocn.ne.jp>
Reply-To: JOHNSON BROWN <moneygramofice1524@naij.com>
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2016 22:54:39 +0900 (JST)
Subject: FROM THE OFFICE OF WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT

WESTERN UNION MONEY
Welcome to Western Union:
FROM THE OFFICE OF WESTERN UNION HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN
Our Ref:WUMT0XX2/987
TELEPHONE : +229-98-796-860
moneygramofice1524@naij.com
DR JOHNSON BROWN

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your email, and the content is well
understood. Meanwhile, As per your request,You are here to be inform that
you will be receiving your funds sum of $5000 per day until you receive
the total sum of (7.9M USD,) as it was instructed from the federal
ministry of finance Benin Republic but before we will carry out the
transfer you as the beneficiary of the said funds will pay sum of $95 to
obtain the new payment file on your behalf and you will start receiving
your funds without any further delay. i have understand your email but you
need to pay this money befor e we can do anything for this so please go
and send this money

In addition to this, You are here to be inform that once we confirm the
$55 only your first payment will be wired and give you the MTCN number to
pick . but you can not pick it up without your paying this money so go
now and send this money Reason why we need you to send us the $95 USD is
that we tried to deduct the fee out from your fund but the International
Monitory Fund (IMF)Benin Republic told us that no one has right over your
fund as it have been signed and stamped that no money should be deducted
until it gets to hands to avoid stealing some of the fund.

So be advice to move down to any nearest Western Union or Money Gram
office and send the only fee immediately so that we will quickly obtain
the new payment file and proceed ahead with the transfer today. and it is
true but the let you receive said that you must pay this money before pick
up this money so all that your need to do now is go and send this money
because your transfer payment slip is with me now all you need is go and
make this payment , and be inform that before you pick up this money you
will pay this fee so i am adivce you to send this money now

here is you payment information below,

MTCN 071-679-7753
senders name chidi udu
Country................ Benin Republic
Text Question..........WE TRUST?
Answer................IN GOD
Amount.............$5000

Here is the information where to send the $95.USD

Receiver name......
City................. Cotonou
Country................ Benin Republic
Text Question.........WE TRUST?
Answer................IN GOD
Amount................$95 .00
Sender's Name..............
mtcn.........................

Be advice that $95 transfer charge is compulsory as they told me that is
the only money you will pay until you receive your payment
completely.Endeavor to E-mail your direct telephone number because you
will call once the payment informations is sent to you,

Regards
DR JOHNSON BROWN
Call him immediately you receive this massage +229-98-796-860
moneygramofice1524@naij.com
western union department.
REPUBLIC of BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam