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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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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:
  • "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing 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.
  • jhnabh@hotmail.com

Fraud email example:

From: HAJIA MARIAM <johnbabhabh8080@yahoo.ca>
Reply-To: jonfabh@hotmail.com
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:36:30 -0500
Subject: FUND TRANSFER UPDATE


Dear Friend,

My Husband General Sanni Abacha former
Commander in Chief of Army Staff and
President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria died on the Sit of Power 1998.
He Made a lot of money from Crude Oil
during his own regime because New Oil
Fields were discovered and tapped
during his tenure.

When he died many of my Husbands
accounts were frozen by the present
administration The security agents in
the country have subjected me to physical
and psychological torture. As a widow
that has been traumatized, I am hopeless
with my present faith. Right now am in
a state of utter confusion,frustration
and hopelessness by the actions of
subsequent administrations.

Nobody knew we had $USD9,000,000:00
NINE MILLION US DOLLAS in a security
company.

Kindly help my family and I to secure this
money in your custody as it is not safe where
it is presently.We will give you 35% as your
own share of the money if you can help us
receive it safely in your personal accounts.

Please send to: jhnabh@hotmail.com

Your Full Name;
Contact Address and
Your Phone and Fax numbers.

The Securities are watching over me,so I can
relate only little with you, but I assure you
that our family Lawyer will prepare all
necessary documents needed in the course
of the transaction. Please, kindly coperate
with the Lawyer in all respect. I count
on you. I will join you Abroad as soon as
our Lawyer confirm to me the successful
transfer of the fund into your custody.

Thanks.
Mariam Abacha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam