419 scam: =?UTF-8?Q?Mariam=C2=A0_Abacha?= <Mariam@scs-net.org> Please Update Me

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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:
- "a security company " (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. )
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: =?UTF-8?Q?Mariam=C2=A0_Abacha?= <Mariam@scs-net.org>
Reply-To: mabacha091@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 06 Sep 2020 10:49:43 +0100
Subject: Please Update Me

--
My name is Mrs. Mariam Abacha, wife of the Late Nigerian Head of State,
General Sani Abacha, who died on the 8th of June 1998. I am writing
this letter on a quick note request for a business / investment deal to
be handled by you in your country. I know your time is too valuable so
without taking too much of your precious time I will state the purpose
of this letter. My apology I am contacting you through email; it is
because it serves as the fastest and more convenient way to get to you
.I'm in search of a strong business relationship and partner for
business / Investment project.

My reason of introducing you into the business is because of my family's
problems with the Nigerian Government. It will interest you to know that
the Nigerian Government, under the leadership of my late husband's
enemy, a christian and political prisoner Obasanjo, has insisted on
probing my Family's financial resources and has recently seized all the
known family's funds both home and abroad with the assistance of Credit
Suisse Bank (Switzerland) and I will not like them to know or trace this
particular funds, hence my proposal to you.

You can read more about the frozen money by visiting the below
websites:
http://people.africadatabase.org/en/profile/1992.html
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sani_Abacha
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4124328,00.html
FindArticles.com | CBSi

However, they cannot trace these funds because it was lodged in a
security company and not a bank and to be on a safer side, I am
compelled to diversify this inheritance into investments of value on
real estate as an anonymous investor in Dubai under your supervision, if
only you will comply with me, If you are interested in assisting my
family, kindly send me a mail so we can conclude on the modalities. I am
offering you 30% of the total amount for your kind assistance and
cooperation

Best regards,
Mariam Abacha.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam