419 scam: "Mr.Mike Johnson"<admin@villarden.me> Re:Attn

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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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Mike Johnson" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <Mikejohnson@gmx.fr>
Date: Wed, 8 May 2024 05:20:35 +0300
Subject: Re:Attn

Attn: Beneficiary,

I write to bring to your notice, a man identified as Mr. Thomas Edward Cork, with address No: 1200 Fitch Way, Sacramento, Ca. 95864 USA, filed an application contrary to claims of your inheritance fund of $15,000,000.00(Fifteen Million United States Dollars) on your behalf, due to your health challenge issues at the moment as stated on the power of attorney he presented.

Therefore, I ask him to return back within 48hours, to enable us to have a personal confirmation notice from you being the legal beneficiary of the said fund, before the bank will release the fund to him as ratting on the power of attorney he submitted.

I am sorry to have delayed this instruction and transaction till this moment in giving out this fund, since we must adhere to the procedures of this honorable Bank. Please, did you sign the power of Attorney in favor of Mr. Thomas E.Cork, thereby authorizing him to claim your inheritance fund?

Your confirmation of this information will be appreciated before we proceed with the fund transfer process. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Meanwhile, you are advice to get back to my office immediately with the requested details to enable us have your correct details to wire your fund:

1.Your First/Middle & Last Name:
2.Your Full Address:
3.Residential Tel/Fax & Mobile Line:
4. Copy of your international passport or ID card

Best Regards

yours sincerely
Mr.Mike Johnson
Africa Development Bank Vis CBN
World Bank headquarters

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam