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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" <abacha90@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 02 Sep 2005 11:38:12 +0000
Subject: HELLO.

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT.
FROM: MRS. MARIAM ABACHA
LAGOS-NIGERIA.

ATTN:MY DEAR,

I am by name,Hajia mariam sani Abacha,the former
first lady and also the wife of the former late head of state of the
federal republic of Nigeria,LateGen.Sani abacha whose sudden death came
on the 8th ofJune,1998.Since his death,I have been thrown into a state
of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by the present
civilian administration, I have been subjected to
physical and psychological torture by
the security agents in the country.
My son Mohammed was under detention arraigned before the federal high
court of Nigeria for an offence he did
not commit, was recently discharge from ditention Though he has been
released since on the
23rdof september,2002 based on certain conditions,but
he is not allowed to move around to any where.He has
been restricted to his own town only and also been
placed under the government watch.
View this sites carefully to broading your undersatanding.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_741000/741506.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1935631.stm

As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody
within the country. You must have heard over the media
reports and the internet on the recovery of various
huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different
security firms abroad, some companies willingly give up
their secrets and disclosed our money confidently
lodged there or many out right blackmail. In fact the
total sum discovered by the Government so far is in
the tune of $700.Million dollars. And they are not
relenting to make me poor for life. I got your
contacts through my personal research,and out of
desperation 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 40.3million dollars with a
security firm whose name is witheld for now
until we open communication. I shall be grateful if
you could receive this fund into your account for safe
keeping and investment purpose in your conutry.
This arrangement is known to you and my Lawyer alone
so my Lawyer will deal directly with you
as security is up my whole being.I am seriously
considering to settle down abroad in a friendly
atmosphere like yours as soon as this fund get into
your account so that I can start all over again if only
you wish,but if it isimpossible,just help me keep this
funds in your account which will accrue you 15% of this
fund . Please honesty is the watch word in
this transaction.I will require your telephone and
fax numbers so that we can commence
communication immediately and I will give you a more
detailed picture of things.In case you dont accept
please do not let me out to the security as I am giving
you this information in total trust and confidence I
will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in
good faith.Please expedite action.

Sincerely yours,
Hajia
Mariam Abacha


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