419 scam: "Mr. Barry Bertin" <barry_ber@voila.fr> Dear Friend.

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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)
- "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)
- "you will be entitled to 30%" (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: "Mr. Barry Bertin" <barry_ber@voila.fr>
Reply-To: bar_tin0@voila.fr
Date: Sat, 13 Oct 2012 23:12:49 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Dear Friend.

Dear Friend, I am contacting you to assist mein the transfer of $6,200,000.00 into your personal bank account for ourbenefit, this transaction is confidential and we MUST remain fiducially in allour dealings since I cannot execute this opportunity alone without the supportof a foreigner. This is in line with the Laws governing my Bank and that is whyI have contacted you in this manner. For your role in assisting meactualize this opportunity, you will be entitled to 30% of the total sum while70% will be for me. However, what I need is your maximum cooperation and toprovide a valid bank account where my bank will transfer this fund for ourbenefit. By indicating your interest on assurance of trust I will send you thefull details and how this business will be executed and your urgent response tothis proposal will be highly appreciated. Best regards,Mr. Barry Bertin

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam