419 scam: "MRS. AMANDA JOHNSON" <mrsamandajohnson48@yahoo.com.ph> COMPENSATION OF USD$2.5 MILLION FOR YOU.

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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:
- "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. )
- ",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)
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.
- +22998890277 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- westernunion4596@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS. AMANDA JOHNSON" <mrsamandajohnson48@yahoo.com.ph>
Reply-To: westernunion4596@yahoo.com
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 02:45:44 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: COMPENSATION OF USD$2.5 MILLION FOR YOU.

Dear: Sir/Madam. COMPENSATION OF USD$2.5 MILLION FOR YOU. I am Mrs. Amanda Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, President and Member of Operating Committee Africa, JP Morgan Chase & Co, set up to fight against scam and Fraudulent activities worldwide. Get back to us for your claim of your first payment Of USD $5000 which has been posted today. The IMF is compensating all The Scam Victims with $2,500,000 USD and you are lucky to be among listed names to be paid. This Group is responsible for investigating all the people that have been scammed and compensate them from their inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay. You are being legally contacted regarding the release of your long awaited fund, After a detailed review of your file, our president (OUR PRESIDENT) has mandated Mr. Tony Mike to release your fund
immediately, The sum of US USD$2.5 million has been approved in your favour via my desk, This payment will be effected to you through western union money Transfer or bank to bank immediately upon confirmation of your responds. If you which be paid through Western Union money transfer, you will be receiving USD 5000 per day until the payment of USD 2.5 Million is completed. Contact Mr. Tony Mike
Email( westernunion4596@yahoo.com )Cell phone +229- 98890277 Please provide with the information bellow: 1. Full Names...
3. Your Age:
4. Contact Address:
5. Telephone Number:
6. Your Country.......
6. Occupation: Your Prompt Co-operation is highly imperative. Yours Sincerely.
Mrs Amanda Johnson.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam