419 scam: "MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE BENIN"<orlando.carvalho@powerhouse.ativism.pt> Urgent Transfer Notice

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "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. )
- "headquater" (this email uses bad English)
- "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 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.
- moneygramwashingtondc.hq@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE BENIN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <moneygramwashingtondc.hq@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2017 22:32:35 +0100
Subject: Urgent Transfer Notice

Welcome To Money Gram Headquaters
Send & Receive Money Worldwide

Dear Sir/Ma,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all foreign payments left in our custody, which yours are

inclusive. Hence, The Western Union Money Transfer Agency is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our customers having

difficulties as regards to their approved payments which has been in our custody for 7 months now due to one or two

reasons best known to you.

In order words, we are now requesting that those involved should pay only the sum of $199. 00 as COT charges in other to

receive all their payment abandoned in our custody. Besides, my dear, this is a great opportunity for you all, so you are

advised to comply immediately and your funds will be transfer to your designated destination by us the MoneyGram. Note;

failure to comply with this requirement after (3 BUSINESS WORKING DAYS) this notification will no longer be valid, that is

if you fail to make the payment then we will re-direct your funds approval file to the Government Treasury Purse,

therefore to avoid lost of funds comply or we will cancel the payment for the year 2016, and you can only gain another

payment approval in 2020.

Lastly, note after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year 2017, for those who have complied with this

instructions will begin to recieve their payments same day. Therefore, kindly be advised to send the $199.00 immediately

so that we will register your payment and for a start, you will be receiving $5,000 few hours after we have confirmed your

COT Fee. Do forward your payment information to this e-mail when you are done sending the $199 (

moneygramwashingtondc.hq@gmail.com )

After the payment of $199.00 is confirmed to be valid you will start receiving your money every day $5,000 through

MoneyGram Benin Send the money right away with the information below:

Receiver's name= DIEUDONNE AGOGNON
Country= Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Text Question= Color
Answer= Red
Amount= $199.00

The moment i receive the payment of $199.00 i will release the first payment information of $5,000 to you and you will

pick up the money and i will send you another and another. Looking forward to receiving your details and payment reference

REGARDS

Mrs Annie Roland
FORIEGN OPERATION MANAGER
MONEY GRAM HEAD OFFICE BENIN
Money Gram BONUS to help all our customers

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam