419 scam: "Dr. Mark Bello" <mbello33@hotmail.com> Please contact the attorney for your Bank Draft

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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 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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "and cash it" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. Mark Bello" <mbello33@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mbello33@live.com
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 02:19:54 -0400
Subject: Please contact the attorney for your Bank Draft

My dear good Friend,

I hope by the special grace of almighty God this mail will find you in
an excellent good condition of health today, I am your old friend Dr.
Mark Bello who contacted you late January 2010 over a business project
of funds deposited in a Bank left by my late client which you turn
down do to many internet scams and you never take me serious by them.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that the
multi-million-dollar business transaction have been concluded and by
the grace of God if you are still alive, here is your own benefit as I
want to bless you for the year so that you will no that my first
intention to contact you was to help me and to also benefit you and
me. I also proud to tell you that I am rich now. And for my promise to
God, didn't get my past contact to you which fail us, but I am using
this to help you finance your own business pending when I shall meet
with you face to face and to give God the glory as I will be in your
country by first week of April 2011 for celebration with you and your
family in this life time opportunity.

I am happy to tell you that I left a Certified International Cashier
Bank Draft for your compensation worth of $1.2million dollars only
cashable any where in the world. I knew you may have forgotten me but
God show me mercy to remember you. So contact my secretary Barrister
Alan Coleman to receive the Bank Draft from him and also forward me
your contact address to enable me locate you and also do not fail to
let me know once you get the Bank Draft ok.

Contact: Barrister Buyung Maraeso LI.B, B.I, II.M,M.B.A. LBS.
Cotonou Benin Republic
Email address: info_chamber@enveloped.org
Tel: (+229) 98 88 50 95

Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
correct mailing address where you want him to send the Bank Draft to
avoid wrong payment/delivery and to ensure that you receive the bank
draft and cash it in any bank of your choice without delay.

Hoping to hear from you ASAP.

Regards,

Dr. Mark Bello.

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Fundação Universidade Federal de Rondônia

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam