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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" <mariam0000001@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mariam00400@compaqnet.fr
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2005 15:09:09 -0800
Subject: A CRY FOR HELP

Dear Friend,
It is with heart full of hope that I write to seek your help in the
context
below.I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha the wife of the former Nigerian Head of
State
Late General Sani Abacha,whose sudden death occurred on 8th June 1998.
Having got your particulars from the family library, I have no doubt
about
your capacity and goodwill to assist me in receiving into your custody
(for
safety) the sum of US$25million Willed and deposited in my favour by my
late
husband. This money is currently kept in a Finance & Securities Company
in
Europe. As it is legally required, the administration of my late
husband
property is under the authority of the family Lawyer. However, the new
democratic government has on assumption of office set up a panel of
enquiry
to probe the financial activities of my late husband (former head of
state)
with a decision to freeze all his Assets respectively.
The investigation team has submitted their report;presently some cash
and
assets have been frozen and seized.Fortunately, our family lawyer had
secretly protected the personal will of my husband from the notice of
investigators and have strictly advised that the willed money be
urgently
moved into an overseas account of trusted foreign friend without delay,
for
security reasons. The government had earlier placed foreign travel
embargo
on all our family members and seized all known local and international
business outlet belonging to my late husband.
The situation has been so terrible that we are virtually living on the
assistance of well wishers. In view of this plight therefore, I expect
you
to be trustworthy and kind enough to respond to this call
I hereby agree to compensate your sincere and candid effort in this
regard
with 25% of the fund when finally received by you.
The attorney has perfected arrangements with the securities and finance
firm
to effect complete dislodgment of this money to you within a week of
the
receipt of your response. They have equally guaranteed 100% risk-free
and
smooth transfer to you if you so request.
Please send down the following information as you respond to this SOS
message:
1.Your private telephone and fax numbers for prompt access.Do include
your
mobile phone number also.
2.Your full names and address.
As I look forward to your response , may you remain blessed abundantly.
Please do respond immediately to my direct email address :

mariam00400@compaqnet.fr

Warmest regards
MRS. MARIAM ABACHA


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