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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:

Fraud email example:

From: Mary Beth Leonard <wupymt247@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mbethl101@gmail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2022 04:44:02 -0800
Subject: TREAT THIS VERY URGENT!!!

Attention: Beneficiary,

I have to inform you once again, I am convinced 100% that you have had
bitter experience with various scams claiming to be higher Government
officials and thereby defrauding you of your "hard-earned money". The
activities of these scam has changed your perspective about conducting
business on the internet, and you now believed there is no genuine
business that can be conducted on the internet. Well, I'm an American
and the internet was created by Americans for the purpose of creating
awareness for your products/services and conducting genuine business
with easy way. I'm fully committed and vowed that your
inheritance/contract funds must be transferred to you in order to
differentiate myself from many American you have dealt with but no
avail.

I'm a full citizen of the United States, but I was on a Foreign
Mission here in Nigeria as an US Ambassador. I am making every effort
to ensure that no citizen of the United States,Europeans and Asia
continent is cheated by Nigeria. Therefore, I need your utmost support
and understanding to actualize this dream. I also want you to
understand that I do trust you and I expect you to show me the same
trust and respect in return since trust is a 2-way street. On the
other hand, trust is a relationship of reliance. Trust also means
being able to predict what other people will do and what situations
will occur.

Frankly speaking, I understand that anyone in your shoes will feel
betrayed or cheated due to your past predicaments, but I encourage you
to show me your trust by giving me the benefit of doubt on this fund
transfer arrangement. My identity and personality is verifiable, and I
promised that your inheritance/contract funds will be remitted to you
without any more hitches again either from Govt or Individuals. Please
don't allow this mission to die off because i'm willing to assist you
with the sum of $500 US Dollars out of the required fee $1,235.00 I
really meant so well for you and I believe you will appreciate me more
when you have finally receive your fund of $23,850.000.00 US Dollars.

I will use my position and personality to deposit the fund
$23,850.000.00 USD on your behalf without questioning from the
financial monitoring authorities here, since all documentations
proving the legitimacy of the funds has been processed in your name.
Please don't see me as one of the numerous dubious Nigeria you have
dealt with in the past. I'm a different person entirely and I come
from a different continent. I have the American spirit in me and I
hate cheaters. I promise to always uphold the national unity of the
United States. Please reply back ASAP and send the remaining balance
of $235.00 US Dollar only if you appreciate my effort.You can through
Bitcoin wallet service, Steam Wallet card, Google play card.

All you need to send the fee of $235.00 only and you should send it
through Bitcoin wallet or Apple itunes gift card. I will take care of
the rest balance to assist you due to your financial situation and to
show you i'm honest person and a woman of her words and God's fearing
christian.

Kindly send the payment immediately after reading this message by
purchasing one of the gift below.

1.Steam Wallet card
2.Google play card
3.Through Bitcoin wallet service.

Please don't forget to reconfirm your full banking details where you
wished the fund to be remitted to avoid wrong transfer of your payment
into wrong bank account:

Bank Name: .......
Bank Address: ....
Account Number: ..
Account Name: ....
Routing Number: ..

As soon as the payment is received today from you, then be rest
assured to receive fund $23,850.000.0 into your bank account the
within a space of 1-3 hours without any further delay.

Best Regards,

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard
U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria

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