419 scam: Diplomat Tony Johnson <agent--tonyjohnson@att.net> VERY URGENT REPORTING FROM LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM; BY DIPLOMAT TONY JOHNSON.

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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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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. )
- "diplomatic immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "diplomatic agent" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist 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.
- +447045758292 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- diplomattonyjohnson1@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Diplomat Tony Johnson <agent--tonyjohnson@att.net>
Reply-To: diplomattonyj@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:20:55 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: VERY URGENT REPORTING FROM LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM; BY DIPLOMAT TONY JOHNSON.

Attn; Beneficiary.

My name is Mr. Tony Johnson, a Diplomatic Agent from Benin Republic,
West Africa. I was assigned by African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) to deliver a consignment/box to your address over there. I was made to understand by the sender that this box is containing the sum of us$5.2Million USD assigned to deliver to your door step as a Compensation for being victim of some faceless criminals/scammers there in our
continent and other parts of the world.

This Compensation was a result of petitions and alarmed raised by the whole world reporting against the scam going on around the globe today which after series of meetings with all world organizations finalized that all the victims will be compensated by African Union (AU) because of the practice is much
in Africa especial NIGERIA. However, the United Nations (UN) with their good hearth has assisted the AU with the sum of us$42Billion USD to ensure that they settle all the listed ( 293 people ) Scam Victims around the Globe/World. Majority of the victims are from United States, Asians, Arabic Nations, Middle East and Europeans continents.

It is important to let you know that I arrived on transit here in Heathrow, International Air-Port London, United Kingdom early this morning. On our departure here few hrs ago, the UK Custom Authority insisted on scanning your box which they did and confirmed the true contents of the box. I thank God that all the relevant documents to back up the delivery are intact and had proved its source to them that it is free from Drug Money, Money Laundry or Terrorism Sponsoring Fund.

However, the only thing delaying me here now is your delivery TALLY NUMBERS which they did not ask the same in Africa
because of my diplomatic immunity. Please I will like you to hurry up and send us$182 via western union to ( SANDY MILLER ) COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC. She is a friend and an American who works with Benin Republic Air-Port Authority and I know she can help me secure the TALLY NUMBERS immediately there in my country for me to proceed with your onward delivery.

Note; that the Tally Numbers is the only thing delaying me here and it will interest you to know that I have other assignments to carry on after your delivery so, I urge you to act fast as to enable me proceed to your country with the next available flight.

Call me immediately you are done with the payment on +44 704 575 8292 with the money transfer information and also send the re-confirmation of your mailing address to my private E-mail: diplomattonyjohnson1@ibibo.com or diplomattonyjohnson1@gmail.com to avoid delivery to a wrong address/party.

IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT I HAVE ALL THE RELEVANT DOCUMENTS REGARDING YOUR FUND AND ITS SOURCE INTACT HERE IN YOUR DELIVERING FILE WITH ME. I WILL HAND OVER THE WHOLE DOCUMENT WITH YOUR DELIVERING FILE IMMEDIATELY YOU SIGNING MY ATTESTATION BOOKLET THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR BOX/CONSIGNMENT.

Thanks for your understanding and co-operations.

Humble Yours,
Agent. Tony Johnson.

N/B: BELOW ATTACHMENT IS MY DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT FOR
PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF WHOM YOU ARE DEALING WITH.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam