I found this in my Inbox this morning. I think the only truthful piece of information included - is that Mary Beth Leonard actually is the current US Ambassador to Nigeria.
See: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard | U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Nigeria (usembassy.gov)
This one fact shows that the criminal involved has done some homework for his scam. I am always amused by the mis-use of words in the text of theses “kind offers,” such as using the word “missing” instead of “mincing.” There are too many more errors than I care to mention. As always, please be vigilant and do not fall for such scams. I fear for older adults who feel that there will be a big payout from a non-solicited email offer. And beware of Phishing emails, as this can be the beginning of even more problems for the receiver.
Text of Today’s Email Scam:
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NIGERIA
1075 DIPLOMATIC DR, AREA, ABUJA
U.S. AMBASSADOR FUND NOTIFICATION
MY PRIVATE EMAIL: usambassadormarybethleonard001@gmail.com
Attention: Fund Beneficiary,
I'm the New U.S Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard from United State America to Nigeria, I resume in my office on December 24th, 2019 as the New Ambassador and I have gone through every document in my office and noticed that your name is involved in scam list, which the United Nation has decided to compensate you with the sum of ($15.5 Million U.S Dollars) from Federal Republic of Nigeria in conjunction with United Bank For Africa ( UBA ) and it will be through an ATM Card for easy use.
I shall be coming to your country for an official meeting on 10th September, 2021 and I shall be bringing your ATM Card contains ($15.5 Million U.S Dollars) along with me without any stopped through Custom because as an Ambassador to Federal Republic of Nigeria, I'm the U.S Government Agent and I have the veto power to go through custom.
As soon as I'm through with my meeting, I shall then proceed to register your Name, home address and with your ATM Card Fund as well, Without missing words, I am convinced 100% that you have had bitter experience with various scams claiming to be high government officials and thereby defrauding you of your hard-earned money.
The activities of these scams have changed your perspective about conducting business on the internet, and you now believe there is no genuine business that can be conducted on the internet. Well, I'm a U.S. Citizen and the internet was created by Americans for the purpose of creating awareness of your products/services and conducting genuine business with ease.
I am a full citizen of the United States, but I was on a Foreign Mission here in NIGERIA as a U.S Ambassador. Hence, I am making every effort to ensure that no citizen of the United States and other parts of the world is cheated by Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic e.t.c.
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 need.
Trust is both an emotional and logical act. Emotionally, it is where you expose your vulnerabilities to people, but believing they will not take advantage of your openness. Logically, it is where you have assessed the probabilities of gain and loss, calculating expected utility based on hard performance data, and concluded that the person in question will behave in a predictable manner.
In practice, trust is a bit of both. I trust you because I have experienced your trustworthiness by merely believing in what I have said, even when you haven't seen me, and because I have faith in humanity.
Frankly speaking, I understand that anyone in your shoes will feel betrayed, but I still want you to show me your trust by giving me the benefit of the doubt on this delivery arrangement. My identity and personality is verifiable, and I promise to deliver your ATM Card to you safely without any hitch.
I am fully committed to delivering your ATM card to your doorstep without delay. NB: Your ATM Card of ($15.5 Million U.S Dollars) must be registered as an Ambassadorial package as planned. Do not allow this mission to die off because of $450 U.S Dollars for the registration fee of your ATM Master Card, I meant so well for you and I believe you will appreciate me more when you have finally received your ATM Card.
I will use my position and personality to deliver your ATM Card worth ( $15.5 Million U.S Dollars ) to your doorstep without question from the financial monitoring authorities, since all documentation proving the legitimacy of the funds have been processed.
Please don't see me as one of the numerous dubious, Ghana, Benin Republic or Nigerians you have dealt with in the past. I am a different person entirely and I came 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.
I hope you will understand and follow my instructions to enable me to serve you better. I will advise you to contact my private email ( usambassadormarybethleonard001@gmail.com ) so that we can proceed immediately.
Signed.
Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard
U.S Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Red Sky Alliance is a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Service organization and has been following these Nigerian-based scams for years. Don’t trust an email from the “government.” The US government does not email, they still use old fashion mail – or snail mail. For questions, comments or assistance, please contact the office directly at 1-844-492-7225, or feedback@wapacklabs.com
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