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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.

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Fraud email example:

From: "MARIAM ABACHA" <mariam@mabachafamily.net>
Reply-To: m_mabachafamily@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 16:48:03 +0000
Subject: I need your help and advice.

From: Mariam Abacha Mrs.
31st. of Oct.,2004

Dear friend,

Compliment of the year. Following the sudden death of my husband General
Sani Abacha, the late former head of state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have
been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by
the present civilian administration, I have been subjected to
physical and psychological torture by the security agents in the country. My
son is still under detention arraigned before the federal high court of
Nigeria for an offence he did not commit. As a widow that is so traumatized,
I have lost confidence with anybody within the country.

You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery
of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different security
firms abroad, some companies willingly give up their secrets and disclosed
our money confidently lodged there or many outrightly blackmailed us. Do
visist these sites if you will;

http://www.odili.net/news/source/2003/nov/25/324.html
http://www.odiousdebts.org/odiousdebts/index.cfm?DSP=content&ContentID=4643
http://www.jubileeplus.org/worldnews/africa/court_uk_ahead_abacha_loot.htm

I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation
decided to reach you via mail to safe time since sending you letter via
snail mail will take a longer time. I will give you more information as to
this transaction as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you
hence my approach to you. Due to security network placed on my daily
affairs, I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to
contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you.

I have deposited the sum of $18million United States Dollars only with a
bank whose name is withheld for now until we open communication. I shall be
grateful if you could receive this fund into your account for safe keeping
and investment purposes because the government is out to confisticate our
entire estates and asset. I am ready to offer you a reasonable amounty from
this total sum if you can assist me receive the money into your personal
account where you have abosolute control over. I am quite aware that no
amount will be enough for the help you about giving to me and my children,
but for the sake of humanity, please accept my offer.

This arrangement is known to you and my Lawyer alone, so my Lawyer will deal
with you directly as I have been under house arrest and close watch for the
past six years . I am seriously considering settling down abroad in a
friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as I am able to secure my travelling
papers again.

The traumer I and my family is presenly going through under the government
of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is just unbearable, I have written secret letters
to human rights organisation, N.G.Os and the civil right agency for help,
but up till this very minute I have not received any help, apparently, I am
sure that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is trying to take his pound of flesh back
because my husband kept him in detention for
three years for alleged coup plot.

Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I was able to gather
this amount from sales of franchise, gifts and non governmental
entrepenuership when my husband was still the head of states prior to his
death, it is not looted fund, the money belongs to me.

I will require your telephone, fax numbers and present home address so that
we can commence communication immediately and I will give you a more
detailed information upon hearing from you. In case you don't accept please
do not let me out to the security, as I am giving you this
information in total trust and confidence I will greatly appreciate if you
accept my proposal in good faith. Please expedite action by reaching me
immediately via my alternate email address; mariamabacha1955@myway.com or my
lawyer Barr. Uzodike Micheal on Tel: +234-1-4756998.

Thank you.

Mrs. Mariam Abacha


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