419 scam: OFFICE FILE <oficefile47@gmail.com> Happy new Month to your entire family,

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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:

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. )
- "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. )
- "money transfer control number" (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. )
- "million united state dollars" (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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "moneygram1232@barid.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.

Fraud email example:

From: OFFICE FILE <oficefile47@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 May 2015 16:52:06 +0100
Subject: Happy new Month to your entire family,

Happy new Month to your entire family,

I want to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Finance Benin
Republic has Approved your Money $1.5Million United State Dollars on
30th of April 2015.This instruction was giving through (Federal
Ministry of Finance Benin Republic) for the new year project. I tried
my possible best to make sure that your name is listed among the
peoples which their fund will be transfer out of this country which
with the help of God Almighty achieved.Look all I want you to do now
is for you to go any MONEY GRAM and send the sum of ($52.00 ) they
need this Money to show that your Fund belongs to you.

Therefore, i want you to call me as soon as you received this message,
So get get back to me now with the information of the payment so that
you can be able to pick up your Money this Morning.

This is the infromation you will use to send the money;

Reciever Name:... KENNEDY EKEH
Location: ...Cotonou,
Country: ...Benin Republic
Text Q: ....How much?
Answer:::::....$52.00
Mtcn::::

Then click tracking and enter the number; 334 656 78 enter senders
first name (John) enter senders last name (Mansaray and then click
tracking so that you can see the status of the payment.

Money Transfer Control Number 334 656 78
Senders First Name====:John
Senders Last Name:====Mansaray
AMOUNT==========$10,000,00

Therefore, i want you to call me as soon as you received this message

Finally urgent send us the money to enable us proceed on your payment
immediately. above listed information is our account's information for
you to send the money through Money Gram transfer been our transfering
charge for your already mandated $10,000 usd.
Your urgent respond is highly needed.
CONTACT EMAIL,( moneygram1232@barid.com )

FROM OCEANIC BANK PLC
MR PETER JOHN. DIRECTOR GENERAL
MONEY GRAM OFFICE DEPARTMENT
REPUBLIC OF BENIN. FOREGN CONTRACTOR PAYMENT OFFICE
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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam