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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: "Dr Mrs Mariam" <drmariamabac1@sify.com>
Date: 23 Jul 2005 19:02:30 -0000
Subject: SINCERE HELP

Dear Friend,
I am Dr. Mrs. Mariam Abacha, wife to the late Nigerian Head of state, General
Sani Abacha who died on the 8th of June 1998 while still on active service
for our Country. I am contacting you with the hope that you will be of great
assistance to me, I currently have within my reach the sum of 24 million U.S
dollars cash which I intend to use for investment purposes outside Nigeria.
This money came as a result of a payback contract deal between my husband and
a Russian firm in our country's multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta steel plant.
The Russian partners returned my husbands share being the above sum after his
death. Presently, the new civilian Government has intensified their probe
into my husbands financial resources which has led to the freezing of all our
accounts, local and foreign, the revoking of all our business licences and
the arrest of my First son.
In view of this I acted very fast to withdraw this money from one of our
finance houses before it was closed down. I have deposited the money in a
security company with the help of very loyal officials of my late husband. No
record is known about this fund by the government because there is no
documentation showing that we received such funds.
Due to the current situation in the country and government attitude to my
family, I cannot make use of this money within, thus I seek your help in
transferring this funds out of the sub-African region. Bearing in mind that
you may assist me, I have decided to part with 20% of the total sum.
Your URGENT response is needed. Please include your personal phone and fax
numbers for our mutual understanding.
Kindly reply through this email box or my alternative email address
(drmariamabac1@uae.ac)
Thanks for your understanding.
Regards,
Dr. Mrs. Mariam Abacha.

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