419 scam: "Bernard Miller"<info@ditchwitch.com> Attn: Business Proposal...Reply ASAP.

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (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.

Fraud email example:

From: "Bernard Miller" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <agent.bernard.miller@leannamarieservices.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:25:51 +0100
Subject: Attn: Business Proposal...Reply ASAP.

Dear Friend,

I know you will be surprised to read from me, but please consider this letter as a request.
However, it’s just my urgent need for foreign partner that made me to contact you for this
transaction. I got your contact while I was searching for a foreign partner. I am assured of
your capability and reliability to champion this business opportunity when I prayed about you.

I am Mr. Bernard Miller, Financial Auditor of Marie Financial Services® by profession Here in
Brazil, I have the opportunity of transferring the left over funds (6.7 Million Pounds) belonging
to one of our deceased Investor who died along with his entire family in a Plane crash, kindly check
the below link for more details...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/859479.stm

Hence, I am inviting you for a business deal where this money can be invested in your country and the
proceed shared between us in the ratio of 60/40 if you agree to my business proposal. I will introduce you to my lawyer
who will give you the guidelines needed to get the funds transferred into your account in your country.
Further details of the transfer will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive your return mail letter.

Please any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another person for that purpose. Please assure
me that you will act accordingly as I stated here. I'm waiting for your reply soon.

Trusting to hear from you immediately.

Thanks & Best Regards

Warmest
Bernard Miller

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam