419 scam: "MR.JOSEPH DOCO" <taniamaryan@gmail.com> Season Bonus! Bonus!! Bonus!!! Bonus!!!!

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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:
- "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. )
- "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. )
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "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.
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.
- +22964 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "MR.JOSEPH DOCO" <taniamaryan@gmail.com>
Reply-To: moneygram.offie1@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2016 05:40:03 -0800
Subject: Season Bonus! Bonus!! Bonus!!! Bonus!!!!

Attention;

Season Bonus! Bonus!! Bonus!!! Bonus!!!!

I write to inform you that we have already sent you $5,000.00USD through
Money Gram as we have been given the mandate to transfer Part of your
compensation payment of $3.5million USD through Money Gram Office by the
United Nations and ECOWAS assistance no more time again on our side and
they want to make sure you pick up your funds before we close for the year
2016.

We offer special promo bonus and Your name was among our Promo winners for
this year, This is because United Nations and ECOWAS are supporting
individuals due to the worldwide economy meltdown. and our head office
order us to release your payment for you now to be able to pick up your
first $5000 we are offering a special bonus to all those among to be able
to pick there fund, you are to send only $40 now for the activation of
your fund transfer paper permit, the Normal cost of the activation is $140
but we offer special bonus that is reason why we lowdown the cost to $40
OK,

I would have requested for your phone number to give you the information
through phone but internet hackers were many. i give you full Guarantee
that noting will stop you not to pick your first $5000 today as we offer
this season bonus, So be fast and go to Money Gram or Western Union and
send the $40 immediately today so that you will pick up your first $5000
before we take on this New project, Remember the faster you send $40 the
faster we release the payment of $5000 to you today so that tomorrow you
shall pick up the next $5000 OK,

Go to Western Union or Money Gram and send the $40 with This Information
below Immediately OK,

Receiver Name :.........Luke Eze
Country:::::::: Benin Republic
City::::::: Cotonou
Amount::::: $40.00
Test Question:::: Honest
Test Answer:: Trust
Sender's Name::::??
Money Transfer Control Number:::??

forward the sender name and your phone number,,,,,,,,
we are very serious and promise to make it up to you OK, after you sent the
money just forward the mtcn or Reference number to us here,

Thanks
MR.JOSEPH DOCO
Number +229-64.741.417
Money Gram Marketing Director General
12 laminawa cotonou Benin Republic
<+229%2094%2093%2096%2008>

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam