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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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• Spam archive, Daily index
  

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.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (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.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Mariam Abacha" <mb2abc_a@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mohd2ab@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 16 Feb 2006 04:08:31 +0000
Subject: STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND URGENT

MARIAM ABACHA
23 GARKI STRRET,
LAGOS NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA

ATTN:C.E.O/PRESIDENT,

I AM DR. (MRS.) MARIAM ABACHA, WIFE OF LATE GENERAL SANI ABACHA, EX-
MILITARY HEAD OF STATE OF NIGERIA WHO DIED ON THE 8TH OF JUNE 1998 OF HEART
PROBLEMS.
I CONTACTED YOU BECAUSE OF MY NEED TO DEAL WITH PERSONS WHOM MY FAMILY AND I
HAVE HAD NO PREVIOUS PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. SINCE THE DEATH OF MY HUSBAND

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO ALL SORTS OF HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION
WITH LOTS OF NEGATIVE REPORTS EMANATING FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRESS
ABOUT MY HUSBAND. IT IS IN VIEW OF THIS, THAT I SEEK YOUR CO- OPERATION AND
ASSISTANCE IN THE TRANSFER OF THIS SUM OF US$75m BEING THE VERY LAST OF MY
FAMILY FUND IN MY POSSESSION AND CONTROL.

AFTER THE DEATH OF MY HUSBAND, BUT MY ONLY HOPE NOW IS THIS AVAILABLE US$75M
CASH WHICH MY HUSBAND CAREFULLY PACKAGED AND DEPOSITED AS PHOTOGRAPHIC
MATERIALS WITH A SECURITY COMPANY OUTSIDE NIGERIA.
THE FUND WILL BE TRANSFER IN PART PAYMENT. WE THEREFORE NEED YOUR URGENT
ASSISTANCE TO CLEAR THIS MONEY FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY AND MOVE IT TO YOUR
COUNTRY OR ANY OTHER PLACE FOR INVESTMENT INTO A PROFITABLE BUSINESS. IF YOU
ARE WILLING TO ASSIST US IN CLEARING AND INVESTING THIS MONEY ON OUR BEHALF,

PLEASE, CONTACT MY SON (MOHAMMED ABACHA) IMMEDIATELY WITH THE FOLLOWING E
-MAIL ADDRESS:mohd2002abc@o2.pl WITH THIS
CODE: AB/CA-10, SO THAT HE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE FROM ME AND INDICATE YOUR
INTEREST. HE WILL CONTACT YOU AND GIVE YOU THE DETAILS AND NEGOTIATE YOUR
REWARD WHICH I CAN ASSURE YOU WILL BE VERY SUBSTANTIAL

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU INFORM ME ABOUT YOUR DEALINGS WITH MY SON VIA
E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE TO KEEP THIS PROPOSAL VERY SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL FOR
OBVIOUS REASONS AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR ANYTHING THAT YOU WILL LIKE
TO KNOW PLEASE YOU ARE FREE TO ASK FOR ANWSERS. HE WILL BE EXPECTING YOUR
RESPONSE.
SINCERELY,

DR (MRS.) MARIAM ABACHA



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam