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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:
  • "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
  • "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "sani 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: "MARIAM ABACHA" <mariamm45@msn.com>
Reply-To: mariamm50@o2.pl
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:36:49 +0000
Subject: Business Request





Dear Sir/Madam,
I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha,the widow of the late Gen.Sani Abacha former
Nigerian Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac
Arrest.
after my husband?s death my family is under restriction of movement and we
are being mollested,policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad have
been frozen by the Nigerian Civilian Government.Furthermore,my eldest son
was in detention by the Nigerian Government for more interrogation about my
husband?s assets and some vital documents.
Following the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank Account by the Nigerian
Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of Millions in united state
dollars was logged.I therefore decided to contact you in confidence as a
foreigner as our other family friends gave up to the government our funds
with them. but I was able to move out the sum of US$3.5m Dollars,sealed in a
Metal Box for security reasons to a security company abroad.
I therefore personally,appeal to you seriously and religiously
for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where
I believe it will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the
restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian
Government.
You can contact me through my email address: mariamm50@o2.pl
However,as soon as you indicate interest my son shall send you the Air-Way
Bill of the Luggage and other related documents so that you can help to
claim the Luggage and subsequently transfer the funds into your personal or
company?s account.
Conclusively,we have agreed to offer you 20% of the total sum
while 80% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide on a suitable
business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the
Nigerian Government.
SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS.
http://www.onlinenigeria.com/links/adv.asp?blurb=99
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/635720.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1741445.stm
http://www.jubileeplus.org/worldnews/africa/nigeria200502.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/468903.stm
Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Best Regards,
Dr Mrs Mariam Abacha.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam