419 scam: "ENGR. (DR.) ABBA GULAMA"<2gasmask@att.net> RE: SIR/MADAM, I SOLICIT FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.

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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:
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "clearance document" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348071536766 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "ENGR. (DR.) ABBA GULAMA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <abba.gulama@rocketmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 00:38:33 -0400
Subject: RE: SIR/MADAM, I SOLICIT FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.

SIR/MADAM,

GREETINGS TO YOU.

I REGRET IF MY CONTACTING YOU THROUGH THIS INFORMAL MEDIUM TURNS OUT TO BE A SURPRISE TO YOU. PLEASE IT IS MY GOOD INTENTION TO SEEK FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP IN THIS PRIVATE MUTUAL BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

I AM ENGR. (DR.) ABBA GULAMA, SPECIAL ADVISER TO A CABINET MINISTER OVERSEEING A STRATEGIC FEDERAL MINISTRY IN THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT. I STRONGLY NEED YOUR HELP AND PARTNERSHIP IN A CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS MATTER REGARDING MONEY TRANSFER. THIS REQUIRES A PRIVATE CONFIDENTIAL ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN US, THOUGH THE DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION SHALL BE FULLY EXPLAINED TO YOU IF YOU INDICATE YOUR INTEREST TO HELP AND PARTNER WITH ME.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS IN INVOLVED IN THIS FIRST TRANSACTION IS US$10MILLION AND SHALL BE INCREASED UPWARD TO US$50MILLION IN SUBSEQUENT TRANSFERS AFTER THIS FIRST TRANSFER IS RECEIVED BY YOU. THE AMOUNT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO YOU FROM THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT OF THE FEDERAL MINISTRY WHERE PAYMENTS ARE MADE TO FOREIGN CONTRACTORS THAT TRANSACTED BUSINESS WITH THE MINISTRY.

WE SHALL HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY LEGAL DOCUMENTS TO FACILITATE THE LEGITIMATE TRANSFER OF THE FUNDS WITHOUT ANY LEGAL COMPLICATIONS. WHAT I NEED FROM YOU IS TO HELP PROVIDE ME WITH THE BANKING LOGISTICS TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS AS THE BENEFICIARY.

ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO DO IS TO FORWARD YOUR NAME AND DETAILS TO THE APPROVING BOARD OF THE MINISTRY AND THE DUE PROCESS OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY, THE BOARD SHALL THEN CERTIFY THE PAYMENT AND ISSUE US THE CERTIFIED APPROVAL AND CLEARANCE DOCUMENTS IN YOUR FAVOR WHICH WE SHALL SUBMIT TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE FOR ENDORSEMENT TO ENABLE THE BANK EFFECT THE TRANSFER IN YOUR FAVOR AS THE BONA FIDE BENEFICIARY OF THE FUNDS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP, THE TRANSFER WILL BE DONE WITHOUT ANY LEGAL IMPLICATION ON YOUR SIDE. I AM WILLING TO OFFER YOU 40% OF THE FUNDS IF I CAN SECURE YOUR COOPERATION AND TRUST FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER.

PLEASE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WILLING TO DO BUSINESS WITH ME I NEED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM YOU WHEN REPLYING:

1. CONTACT MAILING ADDRESS, EITHER OFFICE OR RESIDENCE, (NOT P.O.BOX)

2. YOUR PRIVATE PHONE NUMBERS (MOBILE PHONE AND HOUSE PHONE NUMBER) FOR EFFECTIVE PHONE COMMUNICATION.

3. PICTORAL ID WHERE YOUR ADDRESS APPEARED, THIS CAN BE YOUR CITIZEN ID, PASSPORT, DRIVERS LICENSE OR ANY OTHER VALID ID DOCUMENT.

PLEASE I NEED A RELIABLE AND TRUST WORTHY ALLY IN THIS TRANSACTION WHO WOULD NOT BETRAY OR BLACKMAIL ME TO SEIZE THE FUNDS ALONE AFTER TRANSFER. THE TRANSACTION IS NOT BY FORCE, IF YOU CANNOT BE TRUSTED OR CANNOT HELP THERE IS NO NEED TO REPLY FOR US NOT TO WASTE EACH OTHER'S TIME.

AS SOON AS I RECEIVE YOUR POSITIVE RESPONSE WITH YOUR PHONE NUMBER I SHALL CALL YOU FOR DISCUSSION AND FURTHER EXPLANATION BEFORE WE PROCEED.

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT ME BY PHONE: +234-80-7153-67660.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE INDICATION OF INTEREST FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER AND ACHIEVE THE DESIRED SUCCESS IN THIS TRANSACTION.

YOURS SINCERELY.

ENGR. (DR.) ABBA GULAMA.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam