419 scam: "Dr Williams Johnson II"<info@office.com> THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE ON YOUR BEHALF

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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:
- "million us 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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
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.
- +2348125859542
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.
- johnson_m78@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Williams Johnson II" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <johnson_m78@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2022 07:44:15 +0100
Subject: THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE ON YOUR BEHALF

Compliments,

How are you and your family doing ? Hope you have not forgotten me? I

am Dr Williams Johnson II, the man from Nigeria who contacted you some

time ago to assist me secure the release of some money accrued from

the over invoicing of a contract/inheritance that was awarded by my

government sometime ago during the military regime.

Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction, I'm

happy to inform you about my success in getting those funds

transferred under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner from

Brazil. Presently I'm in South Korea for investment projects with my

own share of the total sum.

Meanwhile, i didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me

in transferring those funds, I made sure you are not left out the

benefit of the transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of Eight

Million Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollar

($8,500,000.00)draft.

Please bear with me for the making the initial contact through Email.

Mean-while, A woman came to MY SECRETARY OFFICE few Days Ago with a

letter, Claiming to be your true Representative.

HERE BELOW IS HER INFORMATION AS SUBMITTED TO MY SECRETARY;

NAME ANNE BRENDA

4031 Villa Vista

Palo Alto, CA 94306

BANK NAME: CITIBANK, ARIZONA, USA.

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 6503809008.

Please ,Do reconfirm to MY SECRETARY'S OFFICE, as a matter of urgency

if this woman is from you so that he will not be held responsible for

paying into the Wrong Name.

If this woman is not your REP, You are requested to fill and send this

information's for verification purpose so that your VALID CERTIFIED

BANK DRAFT US$8,500,000.00 MILLION US DOLLARS WILL NOT BE delivered

into the wrong hand please.

THIS FUND IS AS A RESULT OF INHERITANCE ON YOUR BEHALF:

YOUR NAME

YOUR ADDRESS

YOUR PHONE NUMBER

CELL PHONE NUMBER

AGE

SEX

YOUR OCCUPATION/POSITION HELD

I appreciated your efforts at that time very much, so feel free and get

in touch with my secretary Mr. Smith Johnson, l have instructed him on

how to send the Bank Draft to you. Please do let me know immediately

you receive the Draft so that we can share the joy together after all

the sufferings at that time.

In the moment, I'm very busy here because of the investment projects

which i and my current partner are having at hand.

Finally, remember that i have left instruction to my secretary so as

soon as you contact him he will send the Draft to you,so feel free to

get in touch with MY SECRETARY NOW.

Below is the contact of my secretary

Name: Mr. Smith Johnson

Email: johnson_m78@aol.com

Direct Cell Phone: +2348125859542

Kindest Regard

Dr Williams Johnson II

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam