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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
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• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
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• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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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:
  • "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "mariam abacha" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
  • "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
  • "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned 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 abac" <mariam_abac111111@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mariamm1@zwallet.com
Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 18:07:46 -0900
Subject: Reply Urgently

Dear Sir,
I am Mrs Mariam Abacha a Widow, I was the former first lady Federal
Republic of
Nigeria, married to Late General Sanni Abacha the late Nigerian military
Head of State.
I am presently in distress and under house arrest while my son Mohammed is
undergoing trial in Oputa Panel Lagos and Abuja, this Panel was set up by
the present
civilian regime .

My son is presently detained in prison custody. The government has frozen
all our
family accounts, all our buildings at Abuja Federal capital territory was
seized at the
same time auctioned our remaining properties. To save the family from total
bankruptcy I have managed to remove the sum of Thirty million US Dollars ( $
30
.000.000.00 ) cash through covert means. This was only money kept by my late
husband in our family save at KANO STATE of Nigeria.

It was deposited in, an under cover security firm outside Nigeria, but a
neighboring
country. I want you to receive this money and pay into your account for the
family
safety. Immediately, my daughter will proceed to meet with you because she
is the
only one that has free movement, the men are monitored by the security
Agents.
You will be well compensate for assisting me secure this money fast before
it is
located by the Nigerian Government Agents.

Contact me immediately with my E-mail address so that I can forward to you
all
necessary details. Endeavor to send your private phone and fax numbers for
easy
communications.
Best regards,
Mrs Mariam Ababcha

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam