419 scam: "James Collins" <> Good News

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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:
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
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.
- micholly5@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "James Collins" <>
Reply-To: Micholly5@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2023 11:07:39 -0700
Subject: Good News

My Name is James Collins, I have a very confidential Proposal that will benefit both of us, I am auditor to my client who passed away after a brief illness leaving the sum of ($12.8 Million) without any next of kin and is a businessman.

I have researched the account holder family living no trace of any beneficiary of any kind. The importance/role in this proposed deal is the fact that I have people who are well positioned and officially capable of leveraging a successful claim of the available fund, by presenting you as a beneficiary. We are equally capable of setting up the internal paperwork, as a basis to officially make it possible for you to be recognized as the bona-fide next of kin and beneficiary to the available fund, which of course, will be eventually split between us on terms to be agreed. The sharing of the fund is 45% for you while 45% for me. and 10% to cover our expenses after the deal. Please keep this absolutely confidential for security reasons and tell me if you are interested but I can assure you 100% risk free as I know how to go about it,
you can reach us through our direct email (Micholly5@gmail.com). You are to provide your Address, Direct telephone number and a copy of your identification to enable us to proceed.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours truly,
James Collins

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam