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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.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mariam Abacha" <mariamabng2007@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrsmariamabacha_ng00_5@yahoo.de
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:04:13 +0100
Subject: URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION

Dear Sir/Madam,
REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS TRANSACTION




I am sorry for the embarrassment this my letter might cause you as we have
not had any correspondence before this letter. I am sorry for the
embarrassment this my letter might cause you as we have not had any
correspondence before this letter. I got your address through an extensive
Internet search.


I am Dr. Mrs. Mariam Abacha, a widow and the wife of the late Nigeria Head
of State, General Sanni Abacha who died on the 8th of June, 1998 while still
on active service. l am contacting you in view of the fact that we will be
of great assistance to each other likewise developing a cordial
relationship.I currently have within my reach the sum of (US$50,000,000.00)
Fifty Million United States Dollars cash,which I intend to use for
investment, like Real Estate Development specifically or another type of
investment in your country or elsewhere in an overseas country.This money
came as a payback contract deal between my late husband and a Russian Firm
on our countries multi-billion dollars Ajaokuta Steel Plant.



The Russian Partners returned my husband's share of (US$50,000,000.00) Fifty
Million United States Dollars after the death my husband and I lodged it in
my husband's security company firm of which I was the director as at
then.Right now,the new Civilian Government have intensified their probe on
my husband's financial and oil company. In view of this,I acted fast to
withdraw the huge sum from the firm's vault and smuggled it out through the
services of diplomatic courier company and deposited it with a Finance
Company in EUROPE.I have since declared my husband's security firm
bankrupt.No record ever existed concerning the money traceable by the
government because there is no documentation showing that we received the
money from the Russian partners.



Due to the current situation in the country concerning government attitude
towards my family,it has become quite impossible for me to make use of this
money within.So I believe this is the only option left for me.Thus consent,I
shall expect you to contact me urgently to enable us discuss in details
about this transaction.Bearing in mind that your assistance is needed to get
and transfer this fund,I propose a percentage commission of 30% of the total
sum to you for the expected services and assistance.



Your urgent response is highly needed as to stop further contacts.I will
give you my tel/fax numbers where you can contact me when I hear from you. I
must use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence
to keep this matter extraordinary confidential,whatever your decision, while
await your prompt respone


Best Regards

Dr.Mrs.Mariam Abacha.

NB: Because of the security being mounted on the members of my family, I
have decided that this transaction exists between you and me,my son
Mohammed.Remember to include your private Tel/fax or mobile number for easy
communication.

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