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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: "mariam abacha" <mariamm50@msn.com>
Reply-To: mariamm50@myway.com
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 22:05:53 +0000
Subject: Help Us.





Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha,the widow of the late Gen.Sani Abacha former
Nigerian Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac
Arrest.
Since after my husband?s death my family is under restriction of movement
and we are being molested,policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad
have been frozen by the Nigerian
Civilian Government.Furthermore,my eldest son was in detention by the
Nigerian Government for more interrogation about my husband?s assets and
some vital documents.

Following the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank Account by the Nigerian
Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of Millions in united state
dollars was logged.I therefore decided to contact you in confidence as a
foreigner as our other family friends gave up to the government our funds
with them. but I was able to move out the sum of US$3.5m Dollars,sealed in a
Metal Box for security reasons to a security company abroad.

I therefore personally,appeal to you seriously and religiously
for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where
I believe it will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the
restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian
Government.

You can contact me through my email address: mariamm50@myway.com

However,as soon as you indicate interest my son shall send you the Air-Way
Bill of the Luggage and other related documents so that you can help to
claim the Luggage and subsequently transfer the funds into your personal or
company?s account.
Conclusively,we have agreed to offer you 20% of the total sum
while 80% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide on a suitable
business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the
Nigerian Government.

SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON OUR PLITE.

http://www.onlinenigeria.com/links/adv.asp?blurb=99
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/635720.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1741445.stm
http://www.jubileeplus.org/worldnews/africa/nigeria200502.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/468903.stm

Please reply urgently through marimm50@myway.com.com and treat with absolute
confidentiality and sincerity.

Best Regards,
Dr Mrs Mariam Abacha.


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