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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" <mariamabacha16c@msn.com>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 09:43:59 +0000
Subject: GET BACK TO ME OK


Hello,
I am Mrs Maryam Abacha the wife of late head of state Federal Republic of
Nigeria I got your e-mail from search engine. 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.

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 and many
outrightly blackmail us.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 poorfor life.You may be surprise how I got to know but I will
tell you when 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 U.S 45 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 Attorney
alone, so my Attorney will deal directly with you as security is up my whole
being.The name of my Attorney is Barrister williams. Please honesty is the
watch word in this transaction.

I will like you to provide me immediately the following information to my
attorney Barr williams email address barr_williamseze1@myway.com
1. Full names
2. Contact address
3. Telephone and fax numbers
4. Location


so that we can co! mmence communication immediately.In case you don‘t accept
please don‘t let me out to the security.I will greatly appreciate if you
accept my proposal in good faith.Please expedite action.
Sincerely yours
mariam Abacha

You can check the follwing web-sites about my husband and son and
about the latest developement about my family.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_741000/741506.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/211324.stmalexpistohl@cantv.net,


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