419 scam: Money Gram International <moneygrampaydesk@prokonto.pl> REF: DS46KC

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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:
- "activation fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "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.
- +22921159557 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: Money Gram International <moneygrampaydesk@prokonto.pl>
Reply-To: moneygram-paymentunit@prokonto.pl
Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 18:08:19 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: REF: DS46KC

FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER MONEY GRAM INT'L.
OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC
LOCATION. RUE
BPH141 KINGSTON AVENUE COTONOU BENIN.
TEL: +229
21159557
REF: DS46KC
5 /11/2011

Urgent-Attn,Esteemed-

We are happy to inform you
officially that we received approval letter today from Federal Ministry of
Finance Office, authorizing our Bank to program a total sum of $2,500,000.00 USD
and pay you through our Money Gram transfer system for your easy pickup and
warned against any unforeseen delay that could make your fund not to get to you
in a timely manner.

The Federal Ministry of Finance chairman (Engr.Richard
L.Daouda) have submitted your payment file to the Benin Consulate for screening
and all data have being confirmed correct to pay you a total sum of
$2,500,000.00 USD as a result overdue contract payments so far. We have been
advised to send you $7,500 USD every day because Money Gram laws here in Benin
Republic can only transfer a maximum of $7,500 USD every day to
you.

We have today transferred your first US$7,500 available for your
pickup at any Money Gram office in your country, but still on hold due to the
unpaid activation fee of $95 which you supposed to pay before your transfer will
be posted to your country for pickup.

For your convenience check your first $7,500 installment transfer
online clicks TRACKING and fill the bellow information on the
space provided at Money Gram website.

Money Gram reference number 85512245
Sender First Name:
Tony
Sender Last Name:Nnamah
security code:we shall send to you after the
confirmation of your fee.

You will pickup the US$7,500 USD at any Money Gram office in
your country after 20mins you send the $95 activation fee of your daily
installment account. You are to send the activation fee today on our below
information through Money Gram or Western Union store close to
you:-

Receive by:Chukwuma G. Ifeanyi
City & Country: Cotonou, Benin Republic
Text
Question: Faith
Answer: In God
Amount: US$95

As soon as you transfer the activation fee, send us the transfer
reference number information to enable us receive and proceed with immediate
transfer release of your US$7,500 USD today by giving you the security code and
making the money payable at your area.

Thanks for using our service while we wait your kind
response,

Yours Faithfully,
Mr.Frank Tan
Accountant Suppervisor
Money Gram BankDepartment
Telephone:
+229 21159557
Foreign Operations Manager

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam