419 scam: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard <hubert.burlage@freenet.de> UNITED STATES CONSULATE, NIGERIA

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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:
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
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.
- amb.mbl@aol.com (AOL; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard <hubert.burlage@freenet.de>
Reply-To: <amb.mbl@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 12:36:13 -0800
Subject: UNITED STATES CONSULATE, NIGERIA

UNITED STATES CONSULATE, NIGERIA
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR.
U.S. Embassy in Nigeria,
U.S. Embassy Abuja
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria
Email: amb.mbl@aol.com

Good Morning from Nigeria. This is Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, the serving United States ambassador in Nigeria. It is my great pleasure and happiness to email you today. I want to use this opportunity to communicate with you, and to find out the truth, and veracity of what I have been receiving from the Government and National security of Nigeria.

Few days back, the National controller of the scam and Fraud department in Nigeria, came to my office, and reported with evidence on pending Funds meant to be sent to you some time ago. The officer reported that the funds have been on pending status due to your inability to pay the fees required.

He presented to me some of the receipt of other payments you made previously which I am so much concerned about.
Please, could you reply to my message, and explain to me what exactly happened, and why this fund is pending till now. Looking at all the receipts of payments you made so far, I do not think that it is rational to decline such funds and spend it. Therefore, I would like to hear from you before I will be in the NSS office today.

Thank you and God bless.

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard
U.S. Embassy, Abuja, Nigeria

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam