419 scam: attorney melvin ego johnson <attorneymelvinjohnsonego@outlook.com> 160 MILLION INVESTMENT 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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "million united state 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)
- "await your urgent response" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "monrovia" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "liberia" (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.
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.
- e.johnsonoffic@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: attorney melvin ego johnson <attorneymelvinjohnsonego@outlook.com>
Reply-To: <e.johnsonoffic@hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 12:02:45 +0000
Subject: 160 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR YOU

Dear Friend,
REF: ( ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS, 160,MILLION.) FOR INVESTMENT.
I am an Attorney MELVIN E.JOHNSON based in Monrovia here the capital of Liberia.This fund belongs to one of my clients, an ex-President of my Country Mr.Charles Taylor. He asked me to get a reliable some One to help him invest this fund over there in your Country,These said funds investment amount 160 Million USD is been assigned by Mr.President Charles Taylor for investment allocation we have a lot of money to invest wisely under your care.10% of the total sum has been assigned as per your share.I Shall visit you with the wife of the president to your country for the investment. once the funds hits into your account for the onward investment. Kindly get back to me with the following information s of yours to enable me start the processing.
1. Your Full name & Age:-----Contact Address:---------Contact Telephone:-------------------Occupation & Position:-------
Above all, I wish to assure you that the funds in question is not an act of Terrorist Funding, neither Money Laundering nor Drug-funding. Thus, the transfer will follow the normal protocol of funds transfer, backed up with its papers so that you will not encounter any difficulties/problem with your Federal Monetary Control authorities. I await your urgent response.
Please contact me on my private email for security purpose ( e.johnsonoffic@hotmail.com )
Thanks and God bless
RegardsATTORNEY MELVIN E. JOHNSON

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam