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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" <mariamabacha77@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mariamhajabacha@yahoo.ca
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 02:43:04 +0000
Subject: FROM MARIAM ABACHA!

Dear 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, 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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