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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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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.

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" <mariamab003@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mariam.abacha033@tsamail.co.za
Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2005 15:38:37 -0800
Subject: Yours truly

FROM: MARIAM ABACHA

Attention,

I am Mrs. Hajia Mariam Abacha, I know this proposal will come to you as a
surprise because know that you and me do not really know each other very
well and as such this is just a matter of conscience and trust which we can
easily development within ourselves.

I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and
hopelessness by the present civilian administration. Security agents in
Nigeria have subjected me to physical and psychological tortures. since
death of my Late husband General Sanni Abacha, the former head of state of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria in June 1998. As a widow, that is so
traumatized, I have lost hope and confidence in anybody within the country.

This is why I deemed it necessary to act fast by contacting anybody abroad
for assistance, due to the security network placed on my daily activities I
cannot afford to visit any embassy for a possible solution, hence I have
decided to contact you and I do hope you will be the person God is going to
use torescue my family.

I have deposited the sum of $15 million dollars in a bank here as whose name
is with held for now for security reasons until we fully commence
communication. I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund on my
behalf for safekeeping. Adequate arrangement has been made for receiving the
fund. It is totally risk free. my attorney who will be contacting you and I
only.

I NEED YOU TO HELP ME TO TAKE THIS MONEY AND invest IT FOR ME, ready to
negotiate with you any percentage you might want from the fund.

I will quite appreciate, if you accept my proposal in good faith.

Yours truly,

Hajia Mariam Abacha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam