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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" <maryabacha01@msn.com>
Reply-To: mariam_abba06@yahoo.co.uk
Date: Wed, 07 Sep 2005 11:03:58 +0000
Subject: FROM MARIAM HAJIA

Goodday friend, I am Mariam Hajia Abacha the wife of the late Nigeria
head of state, General Sani Abacha.
Following the sudden death of my husband General Sani Abacha the late
former head of state of Nigeria in june (1998), 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 was under detention
arraigned before the federal high court of Nigeria for an offence he did not
commit. 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
outright 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 ($15)million dollars with a security firm abroad
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.
This arrangement is known to you and my son Mustapha alone, so my son 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 is impossible,just help me in diverting this
fund into your account which will accrue you (30%) 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.May the Almighty GOD grant
you your heart desire as you are willing to help me and my family, Amen.

Best Regards
Mariam Hajia Abacha.



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