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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: "Hajia Mariam Abacha" <hajiamariam@mariamaba3.com>
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 01:26:12 +0000
Subject: HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU...?

From Hajia Mariam Abacha

Dear Friend,

I got your contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation I
decided to reach you through this medium.
I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I
repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security
network placed on my day to day 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 $30million dollars in a swift security firm,
whose name is withheld for now until we open communication.
So please send down your phone/Fax Number and your contact address.
I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your account for
safe keeping in your country.I have gotten a diplomat who will move this
money to you in your country and he is going to give you a call when he gets
there so that you can meet with him and collect the money from him and keep
it for me till my son come over for the sharing.

This arrangement is known to you and my son Mallam Mohammed Abacha alone,who
shall be in full charge of the transaction as I am being placed on security
surveillance for now.

He shall give you the details of the transaction.It accrue you 30% of this
fund.Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction, I will greatly
appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.

Please expedite action.

Sincerely yours,
Hajia Mariam Abacha


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