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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:
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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:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - that's what the scam is about)
  • "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 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.
  • will_cox001@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "MRS MARIAM ABACHA." <mariamm50@o2.pl> (may be fake)
Reply-To: maabach45@excite.com
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2007 21:44:47 +0100
Subject: BUSINESS PROPOSAL

Date:01/02/2007.
Attn:ToWhom It May Concern.
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 after my husband's death my family is under restriction of movement and we are being molested,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$10.5m 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 my lawyer through this email address:(will_cox001@yahoo.com)
However,as soon as you indicate interest my lawyer shall send you the Air-Way Bill of the Luggage and other related documents so that you can help us 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 DETAILED INFORMATION ON OUR PLITE.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/635720.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1741445.stm

Please delete this message should you not be willing to help us.
Best Regards,
Mrs Mariam Abacha.

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam