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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: "maryam abacha" <maryamabacha05@msn.com>
Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2005 15:30:50 +0000
Subject: please hear me out

Dear Friend,

I got your contacts through my personal research on the internet, and out of
intense presure I decided to reach you through this medium. I will give you
more information As to this regard as soon as you reply, then we would have
known each other a little more to trust ourself. I have great confidence in
faith, hence my approach to you. Due to security network placed on my day to
day affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy for travet documents or
travel abroad,and the funds i want to talk about is in another country
abroad.So that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not
betray my confidence in you.

I have deposited abroad the sum of $10.3million dollar in a switch
security firm which name is withheld for now until we open communication and
build trust. so please send down your full names,address, phone/Fax Number.
I will be grate full if you could
receive this fund into your account for safe keeping. This arrangement is
known to you and my son Mustapha alone, I accrue you 30% of this fund.

Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction, I will greatly
appreciate it if you accept my proposal in good faith and also try to keep
it confidencail.

Please send your reply mail to my confidentail email address:
maryamabacha05@uk2.net


Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Maryam Abacha


Anti-fraud resources: