419 scam: "From Money Gram," <victorgeorge@verizon.net> 2010 MONEY GRAM BONUS.URGENT

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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.
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.
- +22999494418 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "From Money Gram," <victorgeorge@verizon.net>
Reply-To: money1gram@hosanna.net
Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 11:13:36 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: 2010 MONEY GRAM BONUS.URGENT

MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC
OF BENIN.FOREIGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
TELEPHONE +229 994 944
18

07/05/2010

Attention: Beneficiary,
=====================
This is to
notify all our clients about the latest development concerning all the PAYMENT
that are left in our custody which yours are inclusive Besides, your where given
a bill of $100.00. in order to receive your PAYMENT of which we did not 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 because of price. in order words we are now requesting that those
involve should pay only the sum of $50.00 intead of the $100 to receive all
their PAYMENT abandoned in our custody.

Besides,this is the opportunity
for you to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your destination
address.
But note that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment of $50.00
then we will divert your funds to government treasury,to avoid problem or we
will cancel the payment because we are closing all transfer for the season.

So be advise to send $50.00. immediately if you are still wiling to claim
your payment so that we will register your payment once we receive the transfer
charges because you will start receiving your payment as from tomorrow morning
by 11 am our time here.

After the payment of $50.00 we will give you
the full information to pick up your first payment of $5,000.00 through Money
Gram, Send the $50.00 through Money Gram Money Transfer with the information
below:

1. Receiver Name :==Eugene Mmokwe
2. Country:=== Benin
Republic.
3. City======Cotonou
4. Question======how
5.
Answer:===========Day
6. Amount:====US$50.00

Forward the payment
control number, sender name and address after sending to enable pick up the
money in this Department office here.

Note: that we do this to help all
our customers so don't delay because any delay will make us to cancel your
payment or divert payment to government to avoid problem because we don't have
such time to delay anymore.
I am looking forward to receive payment of
$50.00. immediately you send it to enable us to give your the full information
which you will use to pick up your payment in any money gram but failure to do
so you will loose your payment because your have only today and tomorrow after
that no more.

I wish you good luck,
Yours in service
Director
(Mr.Charle Hout ) officer in charge !!!
Money Gram Department Head
office
republic of Benin, Call +229 994 944 18

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam