419 scam: "Mr, Linus John" <cossimauriceguedegbe@gmail.com> URGENT ATTENTION

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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:
- "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. )
- "million united states 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)
- "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.
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.
- monegramofficememo@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr, Linus John" <cossimauriceguedegbe@gmail.com>
Reply-To: monegramofficememo@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2023 08:20:14 +0100
Subject: URGENT ATTENTION

MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER WORLD WIDE:
OFFICE OF THE MONEY GRAM MONEY TRANSFER. COTONOU

Hello Dear Customer,

This is to notify you about the latest development concerning all the
payment that are left in our custody, which yours is inclusive
Besides, you were given a high price bill to finalize your transaction
which you wasn't able to come up with, in order to receive your
payment of which we didn't hear from you for some months now.

Well, our Money Gram is now offering a Special BONUS to help all our
customers that are having their outstanding payments in our custody
due to high prices. In order words we are now requesting that those
involve should pay only the sum of $98 dollars to receive all their
payment abandoned in our custody. Besides, my dear, this is the
opportunity you may have to comply and your funds will be transfer to
you. But remember that after ( 3 DAYS) you did not make the payment
then we will divert your funds to our Government's treasury account, to
avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year because this
year is not like past year.

Again after (THREE DAYS) we will enter a new project for the year and
that is the reason why we decided to help all our customers before we
enter the new project. So be advise to send the $98 dollars
immediately so that we will register your payments and for you to
start receiving your $7000.00 as from today. Be advice that there is
no time again for us to call any person on phone.

After the payment of $98 dollars you will start receiving your money
every day $7000.00 through the office of Money Gram Money Transfer
until your full payments of $2.5 million United States Dollars is
completed.

Send the money through Money Gram Money Transfer with the information below,

Receiver Name: MARY ADE
Country: Republic of Benin
City: Cotonou
Amount: $98 dollars
MTCN NUMBER:......................SENDER NAME.........................

The moment I receive the payment of $98 dollars from you today I will
release the first payment information of $7000 to you so that you will
pick it up from any outlet Money Gram your city. Please re-confirm to
us your full address once again where you will like us to transfer
your first $7000 installment
payment to you.

Full Name......
Current Address:
State....City......
Current Phone No, In case we send payment to you, because we might need to
ring you for an urgent alert.

Mr.Linus John
Director Money Gram
International Benin Republic.
Email: monegramofficememo@gmail.com
WhatsApp me For urgent.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam