419 scam: MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL <moneygram_paycenter@cooltoad.com> YOUR TRANSFER CODE

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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:
- "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. )
- "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.
- +22993413717 (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.
- moneygram_paycenter@grad.com (Grad; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: MONEY GRAM INTERNATIONAL <moneygram_paycenter@cooltoad.com>
Reply-To: moneygram-paycenter@info.al
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:03:09 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: YOUR TRANSFER CODE

P {
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UL {
MARGIN-TOP: 5px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5px
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OL {
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}

FOREIGN OPERATION
MANAGER MONEY GRAM
INT'L.
OFFICE BENIN
REPUBLIC
LOCATION. RUE BPH141 KINGSTON AVENUE
COTONOU BENIN.
REF:
MT89TQ
CONTACT PERSON SIR.FRANK
PARRY

PHONE
+229-93413717
OUR CONTACT EMAIL: moneygram_paycenter@Grad.com

This is to notify you about the latest
development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody which yours
are inclusive,besides your were given a bill of $100,in order to receive your
payment of which we didn't hear from you for sometime now....

Hence, our
Money Gram Head office is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers
that are having their payment in our custody due to price. In order words we are
now requesting that those involve should pay only the sum of $68. 00 to receive
all their payment abandoned in our custody.

Besides my dear, this is the
opportunity for you to comply and have your funds transfer to your designated
address.

Note that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we
will divert your funds to Government Treasury,or we will cancel the payment for
this year because this year is not like last year.

Again after (THREE
DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is the reason why we
decided to help all our customers before we enter into the new
project.

Be advised to send the $68.00 immediately to enable us register
your payment and for you to start receiving your $5000 as from tomorrow.
Be
advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless
you

After the payment of $68.00 you will start receiving your money every
day$5000 through Money Gram until your total fund of $250,000.00usd is
completely transferred to you.

Send the $68 through Money Gram Money
Transfer with the information below,

Receiver's name== Okechukwu J.
Morba
Country== Benin Republic.
City===
Cotonou
Text Question== In God
Answer== We
Trust.
Amount=$68.

The moment we receive the payment of $68 we will
release the first payment information of $5000 to you for your pick up, We look
forward hearing from you soon.

BEST
REGARD,
SIR.FRANK PARRY
FOREIGN
OPERATION MANAGER
MONEY GRAM OFFICE BENIN

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam