Money Transfer Scam

Moneygram Scam

2010-01-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Moneygram is a provider in money transfer activities operating in 190 countries with over 186,000 outlets, being such a big organization is open to scams such as the moneygram scam.
Moneygram provides an easy and well suited way of transfering funds to friends and family almost anywhere in the world.
A scam is defined as a fraudlent and dishonest way to swindle a person out of possession, usually money. Where moneygram is involved it is known as the moneygram scam and fraudsters have been using it as a vehicle to con people of money.

What is Moneygram Scam?

The Moneygram scam can takes place in many different areas of life. Some reported moneygram scams are listed on this blog. Considering the ingenuity of fraudsters, there is every chance they'll find even more ways to use MoneyGram as a vehicle to extort money.
There are many ways in which fraudsters can manipulate moneygram for financial gains. Many scams are similar with slight variations. All of these scams involve no face to face contact. Rather initial contact made through email, if the scam is progressing according to plan, may switch to telephone to develop relationships further, build trust and ultimately scam the victim.
All of them involve wiring money to the scammer who is pretending to be among other things a buyer, "potential employer or grandchild. They are seeking the victim to transfer funds, usually to countries far away from the location of victim. Sometimes they may even send fraudulent cheques as a means of purchasing something, requiring the victim to wire funds back to the scammer.
Click on the links on the right to see how the moneygram scam operates. With moneygram and any other money transfer service:
Never wire money to people you don't know personally.
© copyright 2010

prize winning moneygram scam

2010-01-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

Fraudulent activities with conmen contacting victims claiming they have won a prize and the use moneygram scam is becoming more and more common on the Internet. Previously took place though unsolicited mail or telephone calls from fraudsters, this method of contact still continues, the Internet has given scam artists another option of communication.
It occurs when a fraudster contacts the potential victim though for example email to inform a prize has been won, either a lottery or sweepstakes. Most of the time involving a monetary prize but the possibility of tangible goods with sweepstakes. These types of fraudsters are not always the country of their victim, often places like Nigeria, Canada or the Netherlands. The initial communication will inform the victim that a prize has been won. After follow up communication the lucky winner is asked to send money through moneygram so they organizers of competition can make arrangement for the lottery or sweepstakes winner to receive their prize, will often claim taxes or other administration fees will need to be before the prize can be sent. You've just won a million dollars, does that not make you feel great? What are you going to do with your prize? Perhaps a vacation to a far flung land for as long as you want. Dream on! You are being scammed and deceived by fraudsters using the moneygram scam.
They require people to wire money through moneygram so that the necessary paperwork can be completed. With moneygram, a favoured means of monetary activity with fraudsters, it is very easy to send and receive cash.
Often scammers try pretend to be from a well known or a fictitious body like for e.g. the reputable soft drinks company 'Pepsi' or a government organization that simply does not exist, one that they have made up like 'The National Organisation for Consumer Welfare and Leisure' to give some semblance of credibility.
Sweepstakes are competitions organised by recognised bodies and businesses enabling people to win a prize, there to genuinely administer a competition, not to carry out a moneygam scam. The winner does not have to enter the competition to win a prize thus enabling scammers and conmen to pounce on innocent members of the public. With lottery, more tricky for fraudsters since people have to enter to win the lottery and people may well question how they have won a prize without without buying a ticket.
When making contact the scammer will often provide a phone number for the potential victim to make contact. When communication is made, he will try to persuade the victim to send money to complete the process so that the victim can receive the prize. As with all moneygram scams, the victim has to wire money to the scammer, only for the fraudster to walk away with the funds, with the victim not won anything other then suffer a financial loss. With sweepstakes winners do not have to pay any money whatsoever, if any funds are requested, for its a scam.

© copyright 2010

moneygram scam reports

2010-01-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

Apprently Moneygram has lowered it fees to tansfer funds to Haiti, following the EarthQuake disaster. Its not impossible scammer could call up claiming that they are collecting funds for victims (more like themselves!).
Click here to read

An example of the granparent scam but luckily the son intervened.
Click here to Read

Employment moneygram scam in the form of Mystrey shopper being utalised by scammers.
Click here to Read

Not just everyday members of he public can fall for the moneygram scam, even businesses can become victims too.
Read the report.

how to use moneygram

2010-01-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

to send money to a family or friend

In the high street find a moneygram agent, it should be quite easy as there are many agents working for moneygram. When visiting an agent take some identification such as passport or driving licence to prove who you are and complete a form the agent will provide you. Once complete (it will only take a few minutes), give it to the agent along with the money you wish to transfer. There will be small fee and you can also include a 10 word message to the form. The agent will provide you with a reference number, provide this to the recipient of the money, they will need to use it to collect the money.

to receive money from a close one

Get the reference number from the family or friend who sent the money. Take this along with some identification papers such as passport to a moneygram agent. Fill in a receive form, hand this to the agent along with the identification and they will give you the money sent normally in currency on the country where the money is collected.

Using moneygram is a simple procedure. But to stay safe never transfer money to persons' who you don't know personally. This will ensure you are not being scammed in any way.

what is moneygram

2010-01-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

MoneyGram International is a US financial services company with headquarters in Minneapolis, has offices across 190 countries worldwide and additional administrative units in Brooklyn Center, Colorado and Lakewood, and Minnesota. MoneyGram International has a pool of agents through which it offers financial services.
The Travellers Express Company took over Moneygram Payment System from American Express in 1998 and with further developments in 2003 it now goes under the name Moneygram International. Its primary business is to provide money orders, money transfer services, and bill payment services to the public. As well as dealing with the members of public it is in business with financial institutions to provide payment processing services and money orders sale to their clients.
It has to be said MoneyGram is fantastic company providing a real valuable service to peole. While the vast majority of the businesses carried out through Moneygram is valid, it is open to fraudsters using it to scam money from people, so be wary. As long as money is never sent to someone you do not know its pretty safe.

moneygram scam videos

2010-01-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

Report on FOX ten News:

Video from the Federal Trade Commission:

what to do in case of victim of moneygram scam.

2010-01-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

If unwittingly you have become a victim get in touch with moneygram to stop the transfer of funds. Usually the scammer would collect the money as soon as the victim has forwarded the tracking number. If there is time, it could well be that they have yet to be collect the monies, a stop can be placed on it.
Report the matter to the local police authority who may be able to liaise with the website where the advert was posted, find out the locality of the scammer and take action if the crime was committed within its jurisdiction.
Report it to the website through which contact was initially made. They can file a report, if possible shed light on where the location of the scammer which could help the policing authorities. It will also provide more information to help stop future occurrences of these scams, which probably is little consolation having become a victim.
The transient and cross border involvement of these scammers make it very hard to trace individuals involved. Always be wary, remember:
NEVER USE MONEYGRAM TO SEND MONEY YOU DON'T KNOW PERSONALLY.

© copyright 2010

2010-01-06T10:11:00.000-08:00

All the contents of this blog under Copyright © 2010.
It may be used if a link is provided to this blog.

Who links to my website?

how to avoid becoming a victim of the moneygram scam

2010-01-06T06:59:00.000-08:00

To avoid becoming the victim of moneygram scam simply:
Never wire money to people you don't know personally.
Moneygram is a system designed to transfer money to people you know and acquainted, usually family members. It has unwittingly become a mediator in scams and other illegal activities such as money laundering.
If an employment opportunity arises it is always best to have face to face contact with the employer. Sometimes though if someone is in another part of the world this can be a difficult prospect. Always be wary of dealing with someone you have never seen and the identity of whom you cannot be absolutely certain. Bonafide and legitimate employer would never want payments upfront. If someone is asking for money upfront be cautious. Since moneygram is almost like dealing in cash, activities requiring payments to people you do not know, always look for alternative means of payment such as credit cards where there is greater protection. In the case job opportunities, best to avoid opportunities that ask for money upfront. In the case of the Mystery shopper role do not send return any monies via moneygram. Full Stop. The fact that some stranger from a different part of the world, someone who you do not know has sent funds itself should ring alarm bells.
Never wire money to people you don't know personally.
Since Moneygram is almost like handing cash over the other party, it should never been used to purchase goods on auction websites such as ebay. There is absolutely no guarantee that the product will be of quality or indeed be delivered.
Most reputable businesses will never ask to use moneygram as they are aware it is a service to be used with people they know. They will also have alternative means of payment so the buyer should always use them. Only scammers will offer Moneygram as the only option of purchasing. Before making any purchase of any kind in ebay check the reputation of the seller and the reviews they have received. It will give a good idea as to whether any business of any kind should be conducted with these individuals at all. But they can always be faked so should be wary.
Never wire money to people you don't know personally.
In the classified ad moneygram scam, if someone especially from overseas sends a cheque ensure the money has cleared before proceeding. Just because the money is in the bank, it does not mean it has cleared and the bank could withdraw the funds having detected fraudulent activities. If the payment has been made out to be more then the purchase price be extremely cautious. At no time money should be sent back via moneygram transfer.
Never wire money to people you don't know personally.
With dating, accommodation and grandparents scams moneygram is again favoured as its a very anonymous and a quick method of receiving payments. With little or no traceability it ensures the scammers are able to roam free with no action taken by the law. Always meet the person face to face before handing over any cash.
© copyright 2010

moneygram auction scams

2010-01-06T04:14:00.000-08:00

Making a purchase through auction is an alternative to buying in the high street or indeed websites advertising products for sale. It offers a means of accessing rare or older products not easily or readily available in shops. With thousands of products on offer it offers a huge market to buy things all under one roof. Auction Websites such as ebay has been one of the phenomenal successes of the Internet era, however, also ripe for moneygram scam.
ebay is the most popular website for auction bidding. In this type of scam the buyer is contacted having bid for an item or having been outbid in an auction they were participating in. The seller claims to have the same or similar product available at a lower price then asked on the auction the buyer has been involved in. Scammers know that since the buyer participated in this bid, it is a product of appeal. The price is made out to be lower to make the proposition more attractive.
Should the buyer show an interest they are asked to send money through moneygram. As confirmation, a shipment tracking number is sent to put the buyer at ease. This can be real in which instance the seller would be sending a phony product worth a fraction of what has been ordered.
Often the scammer will advise the buyer not to inform the agent at the Moneygram office that the payment is sent as part of e bay transaction because of extras fees levied. This is to ensure no one that is able to potential point out the scheme as a scam, buyer is in the dark.
Naturally after the money has been sent through moneygram, it gets claimed and the seller has vanished into think air. And the bidder has received no products or in place something that is not what they bought and has become the victim of the moneygram scams.
© copyright 2010

classified advert moneygram scam

2010-01-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

useful link:

A type of moneygram scam carried out by conmen using classified ad websites such as craigslist and gumtree. Classified adverts are a great way to make a purchase. Through this medium advertising, one can sell almost anything from cars to cutlery to shoes, it can also be of use to net a great bargain.
They are a great way to buy new or used products, particularly things that are no longer of use to the seller. It is however, open to abuse from scammers through Moneygram. It happens in a situation where the buyer is unable to meet the seller.
As with most Moneygram scams involves people claiming to be overseas. Usually the scammer is in Nigeria, West Africa or somewhere in Eastern Europe, they may claim to be some where else. An example is where the fraudster posing as a potential buyer shows interest in a product, quite surprising really considering the buyer is unable to view the item for sale residing half way round the world. It is usual for conmen to target high value merchandize such as a $10,000 boat.
The scammer fires off an email to the seller explaining his situation. That he is abroad, has seen the advert, would like to go ahead with the purchase. Since he is not able to come and see the seller personally to view and hand over the cash, proposes a process to complete the transaction. A cheque will be sent for an amount greater then the cost, the excess charge is for shipping by an external company and the seller is requested to send excess funds by moneygram transfer along with the identification details to shipping company.
Steps involve seller agreeing to sell, details such as name and address submitted to fraudster so payment in the form of cheque can be sent, seller receiving the cheque and paying it into his bank account, all part of the moneygram scam.
Long after the money has been wired for shipping costs, cheque bounces leaving the seller out of pocket with the mental anguish of the result and left to explain to the bank how they became in receipt of a fraudulent cheque.
Other types of moneygram scams when using classified advertisement is where the victim makes a purchase online, pays via moneygram only to discover the item was not what they ordered, something of a lower value or in some cases not to receive the item at all.
Having paid by means with little or no tracebility the scammer has long gone. At least with other forms of payments such as credit cards the buyer is left with some form of insurance.
© copyright 2010

grandparent moneygram scam

2010-01-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

Where Moneygram is involved, scammers target all sorts of people regardless of age, gender or background. Retired senior citizens are no exception to the moneygram scam. Fraudsters are potentially more confident dealing with retired people given that some maybe are vunerable. A senior citizen might receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be their grandchild or acting on behalf of them.
If the caller claims to be the grandchild, they may say the the name of grandchild 'Hi, this is James'. They are aware of the name having discovered it from an associate of the grandparent. On many occasions they fail to mention the name saying something along the lines of 'Hi grandpa, I am in big trouble' and wait for the grandparent to guess the name of the grandchild, all part of the moneygram scam ploy.
In the ensuing telephone conversation, the scammer will let the grandparent know the difficulties they are in. It could be for example an accident overseas, in trouble with the law or a combination of both. And they are in need of financial help to assist the difficulties they are in. It could be because they have been assaulted physically requiring hospital treatment, arrested for breaking the law such as possession of narcotics or any other plausible reason that require finance.
A variation of it involves someone acting on behalf of the grandchild. A con artist claiming to a lawyer acting on behalf of the grandchild may ask for money to pay legal fees or someone from the hospital may call asking for fees for medical purposes. Sometimes the grandchild and another party may be involved. The scammer posing as the 'grandchild' may pass the phone over to the 'police officer' who will explain the incident in greater detail with why money is required.
The con artist is often a very good storytellers or actor. They induce the victim into conversation, able to answer questions posed by the grandparent such as why their voice sounds different to normal and play on the emotions of the emotions of the grandparent. They would typically say the shock and the panic caused by the incident has led to them sounding and talking differently to normal. The scammer would ask the grandparent not to let the parents or any other relative know, not bring worries to relatives or because they don't want to be in any sort of trouble with the parents.
They are told to wire the funds through Moneygram as it is a fast and convenient means of accessing the money. Thus enabling medical attention quickly or able to seek attention for for violations of the law.
Quite often fraudsters continue to demand money from the senior citizen until they refuse. Often stories like 'I have in an accident and need money to pay for medical attention' are used initially. Then other stories such as 'The police have become involved, they found narcotics in my possession, I need money to hire a lawyer'. This certainly is an unlucky person!
The transient nature of Moneygram scams where different countries are involved and the fact that little or no identification is required make it difficult for the con artist to be tracked.
© copyright 2010

dating moneygram scams

2010-01-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time Internet Dating was somewhat frowned upon. People would poke fun ridicule the idea with 'it's for geeks', 'its for socially awkward people who can't meet someone in real life', 'its for fat ugly people who are unattractive to the opposite sex'. The reasons would go on and on.
The Internet also used to be domain of specific types of people such as scientific ones who were perhaps computer programmers and the like. But with big business seeing the huge commercial potential it has changed.
It has become more and more accessible to everyday folk. People have been encouraged to take advantage of the benefit it offers. For example 'why not do you shopping online? It can save you time and money', with it the opportunity for moneygram scam has opened.
Now everybody uses the Internet, its a common everyday occurrence. Just like someone might buy a book from Amazon or order a meal to be delivered through the Internet, it is being used by everyday folk for dating.
While it has huge benefits, its also open to scams such as the one involving the use of money transfer through moneygram. Especially where the person on the other end has not been seen and not known to the seeker. These problems are not really an issue in everyday dating since the people usually meet each other in familiar situations such as social circles, work environments or recommendations from trusted and well known people.
In this type of scam the victim would contact the scammer or contacted by the fraudster following a registration with a dating website. Communication through email would take place just like a regular online dating for the parties to become acquainted. Usually the scammer claims to be abroad with a view to coming to the country of the victim. Eventually telephone communication would occur with pictures exchanges to become more familiar.
All these steps are taken by the scammer to build trust. However, after a while the fraudster will ask for funds to be wired via moneygram. A plausible reason is given as to why the need such as to care for a sick relative or for the travel costs so that he or she can visit the the victim.
Moneygram is very popular for these scammers to use as the funds are available instantaneously, often within 15 minutes of the transaction taking place. It also offers a real lack of traceability. When investigating its impossible to know who actually withdrew the funds. The money is not going into a bank account which provide a lead for tracing the scammers.
Once the money is wired it has disappeared into the hands of the scammer. They will continue the communication and continue the moneygram scams by asking the victim for money until rebuttal and contact is ceased.
© copyright 2010

tenants can be scammed with moneygram

2010-01-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

When renting, particularly where the Internet is involved where there is no initial face contact, its important to beware of fraudsters using theb moneygram scam to to steal your cash. Fraudsters target potential tenants, just like they target landlords.
This is where adverts are placed on popular community websites such as the gumtree, craigslist, or spare room for what looks like a legitimate accommodation for rental.
The ads are well written just like most genuine adverts. However, the accommodation on offer tends to be going for what looks like a lower amount then market value. To get people to think they have a bargain so more people would show an interest.
Pictures of the adverts tend to be glossy giving an impression of a plush place of rent. Also these adverts tend not to have a contact telephone number. The user is required to contact the advertiser through email link shown on the website. This is part of the moneygram scam.
When contact is made with the criminal, an email is sent to the victim providing more descriptions of the residence. The house is put in a very positive light, what is available tends to seems quite grand. The victim is told the landlord is not around in the area. For whatever reason, work, family or whatever excuse the landlord is in another part of the country or indeed overseas, would have to arrive at an agreed time to show the property.
The victim is asked if he is able to look after the place well, if he is able to keep the property tidy as perhaps bad encounters were experienced previously. Thinking this is all a good deal the potential tenant replies back to the landlord with satisfactory answers. The scammer then tells him he has had bad experiences with tenants previously with people unable to pay rent so he needs to ensure this potential tenant has the means to do so. Again this all part of the moneygram scam.
After all he does want to come all the way from Newcastle or Denmark to deal with an unsuitable tenant. To prove he has the funds a Moneygram transfer is requested. He states the transfer does not need to paid to him directly, after all its not advisable to transfer funds to unknown people but a movement of funds to a relative or friend of the tennent. After this is done the receipt is required to be sent to the scammer providing proof that funds are available, and so it will not be a long and wasted journey from far flung areas.
If the victim does agree to this course of action, their receipt is asked to be faxed or scanned and sent. With the receipt in the hands of the fraudster he is able to withdraw the money. To withdraw funds from Moneygram, a tracking number on the receipt together with the senders name is all thats required.
This is a common scam seen on websites. If someone asks for a transfer of some sorts through Moneygram, its a criminal weaving his spell. And if something looks too good to be true then it probably is.
If a house is advertised at what appears to be a lower value, there is likelihood something is not right. Leave it well alone. If you do come across this type of moneygram scam best to report it to the website so the ad can be withdrawn.
© copyright 2010

landlords victims of moneygram scam

2010-01-03T15:28:00.000-08:00

Landlords, like tenants, can become targeted in the moneygram scam after placing an ad in popular online mediums such as the gumtree, craigslist, or even published classifieds such as the Loot.
When ad has been published fraudster contacts the landlord through email. He claims to be overseas coming to the country in a few months time. It could to study or business reasons where the tennent will be employment at a firm in the locality.
He expresses the need to secure accomodation, usually the writing is written in a poor gramatical style, and that he'll be arriving to the country in the near future. Since great difficulty in securing accomodation would like to pay up front to secure accomodation thus attempting to lure the victim into the moneygram scam. The upfront payment will be for the duration of stay even though he has failed to see the accomodation. No contact number would provided even if requested during the communication.
If the victim agrees asks for personal details like the name and address so cheque can be sent confirm the tenancy. The cheque will not be sent by himself by a relative or employer. He would suggest experencing difficulties accessing funds at his current location. Would ask permission for associate to send an amount greater then the required rent and if the landlord could send him the difference.
If all parties agree a cheque will arrive for the amount stated earlier in the converstion. The landlord is requested to send the excess balance to him via Moneygram Transfer.
Once the cheque clears landlord sends the finances to the incoming tennent. The cheque will, however, be refused weeks later and the bank will take back the amount deposited.
The scammer received funds he is no longer tracable dissapears into thin air.
© copyright 2010

employment moneygram scam

2010-01-03T14:39:00.001-08:00

Working from home is now becoming an increasingly popular option allowing fraudsters to utilise the moneygram scam. Technology allows people to communicate through the Internet such that there is really no need to be at the office. Many positives associated with home working there are neagatives too, one of them is the moneygram scam.
Home working would seem attractive to the parties involved. With someone working from home it saves space in the office, they do not need to have a big offices or working environments to accommodate employees. For the employee gives the freedom to potential flexible working hours. The work need not be completed with the regimented 9 to 5 can be done within the course of the day. It allows people to have the freedom to spend more time at home with friends and family.
Its attractive to fraudsters too, the avenue exists to come up with scams to take advantage of home employment opportunities by posing as legitimate businesses. They usually advertise on the Internet or the classified sections of newspapers.
One common way to involve the moneygram scam is to post adverts for a "Mystery Shopper". The role involves the employee visiting various shops and stores to provide feedback on things experienced in the store.
When applying for such as position the potential employee ask for a payment some kind for the administration. This itself should set alarm bells as most legitimate businesses do not work in such fashion.
When someone has successfully applied for a position and employment is given their first task would be test the services of a named moneygram agent. They are posted a cheque by the fraudster (posing as the employer), told to pay the cheque into their bank.
Once the cheque has cleared, the victim is required to take the money to the named moneygram agent with relevant identification (such as passport, driving license), complete the moneygram 'send' form along with the amount to be sent and handed over to the moneygram agent. Once processed they are given a reference number which the the employee is required to send back to the fraudster. For carrying out the role they are allowed to keep a small amount from the original cheque as payment for the job, all of which is an eloborate part of moneygram scams.
To make the whole scam legitimate, the employee is asked to make notes on things such as the courtesy of staff, the waiting time to be served as a result of queues, knowledgeability of staff, and so on. This information is also required to be sent back to the fraudster so they can 'assess' the service provided by the agent.
The cheque supplied in the first instance of a fraudulent nature. The bank will honour the cheque initially but weeks later it will bounce leaving the victim to pay the money back. In the mean time, the victim has transferred the funds to the fraudster who has walked away with the victims money.
An alternative moneygram scam is where the employee is seeking a job far away from his residence, such as overseas in other countries. The scammer may send relevant application forms to complete the process, follow it up with a request for payment through moneygram for equipment required to do the work such as uniform. It so that everything in ready and in order to commence employment as soon as the victim arrives to the new place of work.
Again this is a scam, fraudster employing means to extract funds from unsuspecting victims.
© copyright 2010

what to do if you become a victim of moneygram scam

2010-01-03T02:54:00.000-08:00

If unwittingly you have become a victim get in touch with moneygram to stop the transfer of funds. Usually the scammer would collect the money as soon as the victim has forwarded the tracking number. If there is time, it could well be that they have yet to be collect the monies and a stop can be placed on it.
Report the matter to the local police authority who may be able to liaise with the website where the advert was posted, find out the locality of the scammer and take action if the crime was committed within its jurisdiction.
Report it to the website through which contact was initially made. They can file a report, if possible shed light on where the location of the scammer which could help the policing authorities. It will also provide more information to help stop future occurrences of these scams, which probably is little consolation having become a victim.
The transient and cross border involvement of these scammers make it very very hard to trace individuals involved. Always be wary, remember:
NEVER USE MONEYGRAM TO SEND MONEY YOU DON'T KNOW PERSONALLY.
© copyright 2010