419 scam: "Mariam Abacha" <officeplace3844@att.net> Attention Friend,

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "sani abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
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.
- +2347088425221 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- usmanaliit@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mariam Abacha" <officeplace3844@att.net>
Reply-To: <usmanaliit@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2011 08:58:09 -0800
Subject: Attention Friend,

Attention Friend,

Thanks for your past efforts.

How are you doing? I am Mariam Abacha, wife of Late president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, who contacted you some time ago to assist me secure the release of some fund accrued from the over invoicing of contract/inheritance that was awarded by my Late husband General Sani Abacha some time ago.

Though you were not able to assist me conclude the transaction, I'm happy to inform you about my success in getting the funds transferred under the assistance and cooperation of a new partner Mr. Charles Raymond Earl from United Kingdom. Presently I’m in United Kingdom for investment projects with my own share of the total sum. Meanwhile, I didn't forget your past efforts and attempts to assist me in transferring the funds; I make sure you are not left out of the transaction hence I kept aside for you sum of Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars. ($500,000.00) for you.

My new partner and I agreed to compensate you with that amount for all your past efforts and attempt to assist me in this matter.

I appreciated your efforts very much, I lost your telephone numbers, I saw your email in my file, so you should feel free and get in touch with my Sec. Usman Ali. With the information bellow: and forward an account which you want him to transfer the fund to you.

Name and contact of my Sectary: Usman Ali.
Email: usmanaliit@hotmail.com
His mobile: +2347088425221.

Finally, remember to let him know that you were directed by me to contact him to collect your part of the funds as stated above. I have left instruction to my sectary to remit the fund to you as soon as you contact him.

Best Regards,
Mariam Abacha

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam