419 scam: US Financial Task Force <officeoftheusfinancialtforce@gmail.com> ATTENTION FROM MRS.MARY BETH LEONARD US AMBASSADOR.

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "cost of transfer" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "stamp duty" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand united states 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)
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.
- officeofusaambassadorinnigeria@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: US Financial Task Force <officeoftheusfinancialtforce@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2022 10:18:56 +0100
Subject: ATTENTION FROM MRS.MARY BETH LEONARD US AMBASSADOR.

ATTENTION FROM MRS.MARY BETH LEONARD US AMBASSADOR.

ATTENTION: DEAR VALUED BENEFICIARY ,

I AM MRS.MARY BETH LEONARD, UNITED STATE AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA, JUST IN
CASE YOU DON'T KNOW ME, I WANT YOU TO CLICK THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT ME: http://https://ng.usembassy.gov

After our Executives meeting few days ago with the President of Federal
Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the senate President,
Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin
Emefiele,and the Federal Executive councils, It was Resolved and Agreed
upon that your Funds of $10.5 M (Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand United
States Dollars). Will be released to you on a special method of payment
Such as: Bank to Bank Wire Transfer into your bank account, ATM card
delivery or Cashier Check delivery.

I want to let you know that the cost of transfering your fund is free but
the only charges required from you is the sum of $105.00 dollars for {STAMP
DUTY} that will enable me to transfer your fund to you succesful.

Be inform that information reaching my office last week stated that you are
dead as a result of {CORONA VIRUS} in one of New York hospital, if you are
still alive go ahead and confirm to us the following details to avoid wrong
transfer to wrong account.

( 1 ) Your Name........
( 2 ) Your Address with Your Country.......
( 3 ) Sex............
( 4 ) Your Age...........
( 5 ) Your Mobile/Telephone Number...
( 6 ) Your Bank Account Details......
( 7 ) Your Next of Kin........
( 8 ) Your Occupation.........

As soon as i confirm the required information i advise you on how you will
go ahead and send the $105.00 dollars that will enable the bank to effect
your fund payment immediately without delay.

PLEASE SEND ME EMAIL THROUGH MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS:
officeofusaambassadorinnigeria@gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS.

MY BEST REGARDS.
MRS.MARY BETH LEONARD
UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
EMAIL ADDRESS: officeofusaambassadorinnigeria@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam