419 scam: Money Gram <smithjon0143@gmail.com> Money Gram Bank 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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- ",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.

Fraud email example:

From: Money Gram <smithjon0143@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mmoneygram158@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2013 01:45:00 +0100
Subject: Money Gram Bank Department

FOREIGN OPERATION MANAGER MONEY GRAM INT'L.
OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC LOCATION. RUE
BPH141 KINGSTON AVENUE COTONOU BENIN.

Attn,

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 $159 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.www.moneygram.com

Money Gram reference number #85512245
Sender First Name: Onwuka
Sender Last Name:Joseph
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 $59 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 Name by: Peter Chizoba
City: Cotonou,
Country: Benin Republic
Text Question: Transfer
Answer: Yes
Amount: US$159
MTCN#
Sender's :

As soon as you send 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 Bank Department
Foreign Operations Manager
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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam