An Australian man is celebrating after becoming an overnight millionaire, all from answering a supposed “scam” email.

Richard Colby, from the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga, has reportedly “retired” after the sum of $6.5 million dollars was deposited into his bank account.

“I could not believe my eyes when I checked my bank account,” said Mr Colby in an interview earlier today.

Not all money is dirty?

“All my friends and family said I was totally gonna be scammed if I sent the $500 via Western Union to Tema. Everyone said it was one of those Nigerian scams and laughed at me.  Who is laughing now?”

Mr Colby has entered a contract with Mrs Tema Williams to invest money that was left to her by her late husband, after she contacted him via email.

“Tema and I have become good friends. In fact, she is coming to Australia next month and I plan to take her on a limousine tour of Wagga. After that we’ll head to Parramatta to see a stockbroker that I have been talking to over the internet.”

A spokesman from the Federal Fraud Agency said “This is probably an isolated case. We do not recommend that any member of the public respond to, or engage with anyone offering them an email deal involving a large sum of money. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Mr Colby plans on investing a large proportion of the money in a Queensland truffle farm.