419 scam: "Mr. Jose Silva" <johnlucas19955@gmail.com> I await your prompt response,

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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 united states 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.
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.
- josilv123456789@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Jose Silva" <johnlucas19955@gmail.com>
Reply-To: josilv123456789@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 14:53:40 +0100
Subject: I await your prompt response,

RE: US$20,000,000.00 MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS, APPROVED PART PAYMENT
OF YOUR OVERLONG DUE OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS.

I am Mr.Jose Silva of European Union (EU) The auditors responsible for
verifying claims to the beneficiaries.

You are being contacted regarding the release of your long awaited lawful
entitlement funds.

After a detailed review of your payments, the European Union has approved
and mandated that part payment sum of US$20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million
United States Dollars Only) will be paid to you by this Last quarter of the
year 2022.

I therefore wish to inform you that your payments are being processed and
will be paid to you by our Bank, Via MT103 Swift wire transfer from our
approved bank in the European Union as soon as you respond to this letter
without any delay.

Sincerely, we are emotionally concerned about your plight over the Years,
as revealed from your Original Payment File.
You are required to reconfirm your Name,Address and Phone number.

For your record purposes and kindly send your ID copy as well for your
identification purposes.
REPLY EMAIL.. josilv123456789@gmail.com
I await your prompt response,

Best Regards,

Mr. Jose Silva
European Union,Office

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam