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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery 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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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: "Marriam .A" <marriam4u@jumpy.it> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:46:43 -0700
Subject: Hello theunis !

Dear theunis ,

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/URGENT

Barr.Smith Martin

FROM: MRS. MARRIAM ABACHA

ATTN: PRESIDENT/CEO
I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen.
Sanni Abacha former Nigerian Military Head of State
who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac Arrest.
Since after my husband?s death, my family is under
restriction of movement and that notwithstanding, we
are being molesting; policing and our Bank Account
both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigerian
Civilian Government. Furthermore, my elder son is in
detention by the Nigerian Government for more
interrogation about my husband?s assets and some vital
document.

Following the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank
Account by the Nigerians Government with Swiss Bank
in which the huge sum of US$700 Million and Dutch 450
Million was logged. I therefore decided to contact you
in confidence that I was above to move out the sum of
US$4.5 Million Dollars, which was secret and is
sealed in two Metal Boxes for security reasons.
I personally therefore appeal to you seriously and
religiously for your urgent assistant to move this
money into your country where I believe it will be
safe since I cannot leave the country due to the
restriction movement imposed on the members of my
family by the Nigerian Government.

You can contact me through my family Lawyer who will
arrange with you for face to face meeting outside
Nigerian in order to liaise with you toward effective
completion of this transaction.

put in place to movet his money out of the country in
the secret vault through a security company to any of
the West African State and as soon as you indicate
your interest, my Lawyer shall send you the Air Bill
of the Luggage and other related documents so that you
can help to claim the Luggage.

Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 30% of the
total sum, while 60% is to be held on trust by you
until we decide on a suitable business investment in
your country more also 10% is mapped out for internal
and external expenses. Subsequent to our free movement
by the Nigerian Government. Please, reply urgently and
treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Best regards,

MRS. MARRIAM ABACHA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam