419 scam: "Ama Smith. " <test@centennialpr.net> RECEIVE YOUR MONEY GRAM PAYMENT!

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "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. )
- "huge sum of money" (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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "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.
- +2299 (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.
- infocnmn@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Ama Smith. " <test@centennialpr.net>
Reply-To: <infocnmn@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2017 00:01:18 +0100
Subject: RECEIVE YOUR MONEY GRAM PAYMENT!

RECEIVE YOUR MONEY GRAM PAYMENT!

Attention Dear Customer!

This is to bring to your notice that my office has taking over all the money Transaction originated from any part of African/ Europe and Asia counties etc. as Contract payment, Fund inheritance or Lottery Winning, ATM Debit cards, henceforth commercial banks, Security Companies, ATM Credit and Debit Union including any offshore payment centers are no more authorized to handle release of funds due to Unauthorized/incapability of financial Institutions/security companies In releasing such huge sum of money due to Fraud, terrorist and money Laundry activities going on world wide.

I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5000.00 dollars through MONEY GRAM PAYMENT as we have been given the mandate to transfer your payment total sum of $3.6 Million,via MONEY GRAM by this Government.

I decided to email you the REFERENCE# and sender name so that you will pick up the $5000.00 to enable them send another $5000.00 today as you know we will be sending you only $5000.00 per day, and it was agreed that you will pay the sum of $89 (CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS LEGALITY) before they will release the payment to you.

Your payment of $5000 is ready. To check your money enter MONEY GRAM WEBSITE BELOW:

TRACK YOUR PAYMENT WITH THE LINK BELOW:

https://secure.moneygram.com/ track

Reference: 69231415
sender s Name: John Ojadi
Text Question: When
Text Answer: Now
Amount: US$5000
AMOUNT SEND: $5000 (available to pick up)

You are hereby advise to call Director of Operation Dr Solomon Young Jr. because he is the person in charge for your payment. email him today.

PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT, INSTRUCTION WAS GIVEN TO THE MONEY GRAM OFFICE BY THE BENIN REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT THAT BEFORE THE WILL PAY YOU THE $5000 YOU MUST OBTAIN CERTIFICATE OF FUNDS LEGALITY FROM THE BENIN REPUBLIC HIGH COURT TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE THE TRUE BENEFICIARY TO BE PAYING VIA MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER AND THE CERTIFICATE COST $89 ONLY

You will be receiving your payment of $5000.00 Us Dollars immediately you sent them their transfer charge of $89 and it will serve as re-confirmation of your file payment from the office in charge. Note that your $5000 is placed on hold pending when you send them the $89 Dollars.

Here is the information to send the charges of $89

RECEIVER------------- DAN BONIFAE
LOCATION CITY---------COTONOU-BENIN
COUNTRY-----------------BENIN REPUBLIC
TEXT QUESTION- SENT?
ANSWER----------- YES
AMOUNT-------------- $89.Only

Contact person
Dr. Solomon Young Jr.
Email: infocnmn@gmail.com

Be advise that the $89 is a compulsory Because that is only money you will pay before you receive your payment completely I am waiting for your call once you pick up this $5000.00,Please email your current telephone number and your details.

Thank you

Sincerely,
Ama Smith,
Money Transfer Department
Tel Phone +229-9?8961954.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam