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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" <maryamabacha09@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 05 Aug 2005 21:21:27 +0000
Subject: please assist me

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 havegreat confidence in faith, hence my approach to you. Due
to security networkplaced on my day to day affairs I cannot afford to visit
the
embassy for travel documents or travel abroad,and the funds i want to talk
about isin 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/FaxNumber. I will be gratefull if you could
receive this fund into your accountfor safe keeping. This arrangement
is known to you and my son Mustapha alone, I offer 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: