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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
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
  1 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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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:

• An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "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)
  • "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.
  
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +34692974003 (Spain, prepaid mobile phone)
• 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.
  • aboulgassem_el_amari@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "hv1002001@yahoo.es" <hv102002@yahoo.es>
Reply-To: aboulgassem_el_amari@yahoo.es
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 18:38:15 +0100
Subject: A message of help and hope.


FROM THE DESK OF MRS MARIAM ABACHA,
31st July, 2006.
Attn: Managing Director,
Dear Sir,
I salute you in the name of the most high God. 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. Since my husband's death, my family has been under restriction of movement and that notwithstanding, we are being molested and constantly been harassed by the so called security officials, above all, our Bank accounts here and abroad have been frozen by the Nigeria Civilian Govt. Furthermore, my eldest son 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 my son's bank in which a huge sum of US $700 million Dutch Mark, & another $450 million was also lodge and 1.6Billion Pounds Sterling belonging to my late husband, all the said fund was seized by the Government of Nigeria. I therefore wish to personally appeal to you seriously and religiously for your urgent assistance to transfer the sum of $58million US Dollars into your account in your country where I believe it will be safe, since we cannot leave the country due to the restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian Government or can you receive for the Abacha family the funds already in Europe & America about $89million USD , already deposited with a security firm you can advise us on areas where and what to invest on abroad, already we are presently nursing real estates or any other blue chip investment you can reach my lawyer(ABOULGASSEM WAHID AMARI.) on his direct Tel lines as a copy of this letter is equally sent to him in confidence .Any advise should be directed to my lawyer for security reasons thank you, or e-mail:aboulgassem_el_amari@yahoo.es
You can contact me through my lawyers Tel Number : +34 692974003 or Fax +34 692974004. Upon receipt of your good response. My lawyer shall arrange a meeting to facilitate the smooth transfer of the fund , that is to liase with him towards effective compromise of this transaction. However, arrangement have been put in place to remove more of the family fund amounting to$114 million US$ from a security firm were it is deposited , Before moving the remaining fund out of the country with the assistance of my husband's friend's that's some( some top government functionaries) still in government through a diplomatic means, and deposited in a security company, as soon as you indicate your interest. My lawyer shall send to you the Security Deposit Certificate and Airway Bill of the luggage and other related documents so that you can arrange how and where the luggage tagged _Family Treasures_. From an African king will be deposited. Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 30% of the total sum while 70% in collaboration with my lawyer to be held on trust by you until we can decide on what to do next , subsequent to our free movement by the Nigerian Government. Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Mariam Abacha.(alhaja)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam