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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:
  • "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)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned 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: "HAJIA MARYAM ABACHA. ABACHA." <hajia_mar_yam33@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 02:39:05 -0800 (PST)
Subject: I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE FOR A JOINT BUSINNES RELATIONSHIP


SALAMALEKUM ,


I am Mrs. Mariam. Abacha,the widow of Gen. Sani Abacha,the Late Nigerian Military Head of State.

I am presently in distress and under house arrest while my son Mohammed is undergoing trial in Lagos and Abuja though he has just been recently granted bail under the condition that my family refunds to the Federal Government some amount of money.The government has frozen all the family account and auctioned all our properties.

Refer to this website about my husband's loot and you will understand what I mean http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1935646.stm

To save the family from total bankruptcy,I have managed to ship through an undercover courier company,the sum of fivem hundred and sixty four million dollars($564M) embezzled by my late
husband.

The money was disguised to beat the Nigerian Security system and it
is currently deposited in a security company which I will disclose the name and contacts to you if I get a positive response from you.I want you to receive the money and pay into your account safely for the family.

I am offering you 15% for assisting me secure this money,reply my email as soon as you get it so that I can forward to you all necessary details. Endeavour to send your phone and fax numbers for easy Communication.This project is risk-free.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Mariam Abacha(Dr)



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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam