419 scam: Please Read <webleads@bergeford.com> My Charity Proposal

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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:
- "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)
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.
- maria_louge@aim.com (AOL Instant Messenger; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Please Read <webleads@bergeford.com>
Reply-To: <maria.louge@aim.com>
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:55:50 +0100
Subject: My Charity Proposal

My Beloved
I hope this mail gets to you in the best frame of mind I will be very appreciative if you can take your time to read my(proposition,I am in a hospital in Europe receiving treatment and my doctor has inform me that I have just few days to live on earth due to my esophageal cancer. Please I am choosing you to receive this cash for me,and use it to help the less priviledge
Given my current state of health,I have decided to donate what I inherited from my late husband to enable you help the poor and needy.I am Mrs Maria Louge,a devoted christian.I will donate the funds to float the foundation {worth millions of dollars} and I need somebody to help me finish it.I want you to Distribute my funds($US 10,300,000.00 million) to Charities I want you to help me dispatch the deposit I have with a finance/Security Company abroad to the motherless,less privileged and widows I have set aside 30% for you.I will tell you more about this transaction upon your reply to my email:maria_louge@aim.com
Nowadays, only few people think about assisting orphanage homes and other charity organizations around the world due to self-centredness. as soon as you finish reading,let me know your opinion about assisting the less-privilege and if you have given it a thought to help them one way or the other . with God all things are possible.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Maria Louge

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam