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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 friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "contact me immediately" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
  • "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.
  
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • gmohammedaba949@yahoo.com.hk

Fraud email example:

From: =?big5?q?MOHAMMED=20ABACHA?= <mohammedaba949@yahoo.com.hk>
Reply-To: mohammedaba1@walla.com
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 05:21:46 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: BUSINESS ASSISTANCE


§Ú¦³·sªº¹q¶l¦a§}¡I§A²{¥i¹q¶lµ¹§Ú¡Gmohammedaba949@yahoo.com.hk

Dear Friend,


I am Mohammed Abacha, the eldest son of the late president of Nigeria,General Sani Abacha.I got your contact while browsing through the website of business/investment opportunities in your country.I was falsely accused of murder and as such was imprisoned, but thanks to Allah, I have been released for my innocence.


Well dear friend, I need your assistance in transferring some of my money.The government is making plans to seize what is left of my family wealth. This particular ammount was recently discovered while going through my late father's business files, this money is aready in a finance company in europe, i can only disclose the location of the money when i recieve a posative response from you stating your willingness to assist me and my family recieve and invest the money in your country on our behalf.


Please view this sites and read the content carefully,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/468903.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2492425.stm


The amount is $25 million, I will give you details of the location of the funds as soon as you indicate genuine interest to be of help.We will also discuss what remuneration you will get for your assistance.


All that is needed is for me to instruct the company to have you receive the funds on behalf of my family.All the legal information concerning this Money will be sent to you as soon as we agree together.


If this proposal satisfies you, please contact me immediately through the above email address with your full names, telephone and fax numbers to enable me to contact you and I work out all necessary modalities.


Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

Best Regard.

Mohammed Abacha.

- MOHAMMED ABACHA

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam