419 scam: "Mr. John Brown." <michaelifediegwu50@gmail.com> Good day!

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million 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)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. John Brown." <michaelifediegwu50@gmail.com>
Reply-To: "Mr. John Brown." <joannamah81@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2017 01:59:43 +0900 (JST)
Subject: Good day!

Good day!

We were surprises with the report reaching us, are you not aware that you have been assigned with compensation payment of US$1,000,000.00 Million Dollars and that the payment has to been credited to your name?

This was in accordance with injection from IMCB mandate on all unpaid beneficiaries. Please note; the bank COT charges has been waived out due this agreement, all that will be required is the activation of FTRC from the desk of Mrs. Joann AMAH. For activation process and payment as well which will enable her to forward the PIN to you to pick up payment in your location.

Get in touch with Mrs. Joann AMAH on with the following details and for more details on how to proceed with the transaction. Your compensation Reference is WC/NB28//LID/CB/021, I will appreciates your mail update once the contact is made.

1) Your Full Name,
(2) Your Contact Address,
(3) Your current City & Country,
(4) Direct telephone line (Cell and Land line)
(5) ID Card (International Passport or ID Card)

Thanks you,
Mr. John Brown.
Payment Co-coordinator.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam