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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:

• 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 - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "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)
  • ",000,000" (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)
  • "00,000.00" (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)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• 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.
  • hmariamabacha777@yahoo.co.uk
  • sb1234888@katamail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Mariam Abacha <hmariamabacha2020@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: urgentmtter@mail.md
Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:46:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From Hajia. Mariam Abacha


From Hajia. Mariam Abacha
Email:hmariamabacha777@yahoo.co.uk
My Dear,
l am sorry for the embarrassment this my letter might cause you as we
have not had any correspondence before this letter. l got your address
through my newphew who works with Nigeria Chamber of Commerce lndustry
and Minning during my research for a reliable and trustworthy partner
who l can do business with though l did not disclose the nature of the
business l intend to do with whoever he recommend for me.
l am Mariam Abacha, wife of the late Nigeria Head of State, General
Sanni Abacha who died on the 8th of June, 1998 while still on active
duty. l am contacting you in view of the fact that we will be of great
assistance to each other as we developing a cordial relationship.
Currently, I have within my reach the sum of Fity Eight Million US
Dollars (US$58,000,000.00) cash which l intend to use for investment,
like Real Estate Development specifically in your 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
USD$58,000,000.00 after the death of my husband and lodged in my
husband's security company of which l am director right now, this new
Civilian Government of President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua have intensified
their probe on my husband's financial and oil company. ln view of
these, l acted fast to withdraw the US$58,000,000.00 from the company's
vault and deposited it in a Security Company else where. l have since
declared the Security Company bankrupt. No record ever existed
concerning the money nor traceable by the government because there is
no documentation showing that we received any money from the Russian
company.
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.
Let me refer you to the front page of this day newspapers of 10th
March, 2001. You can check it through their website
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/613565.stm. The pressent
Government in Nigeria had frozen and seized all our bank accounts both
here in Nigeria and abroad. Therefore, l shall expect you to contact me
urgently to enable us discuss in detail about this transaction. Bearing
in mind that your assistance is needed to claim, transfer and invest
this fund.
l proposed a percentage of 30% of the total sum to you for the expected
service and assistance, 10% for offsetting minor expenses incurred in
the course of this transaction. while 60% is for the investment on
behalf of my family Your urgent response is highly needed for further
contacts.
All correspondence must be by the email address below. l will give you
my tel numbers where you can contact me when l hear from you. l must
use this opportunity to implore you to exercise the utmost indulgence
to keep this matter extraordinarily confidential whatever your decision
while await your prompt response. to this Email:sb1234888@katamail.com
NB: Because of the security being mounted on the members of my family,l
have decided that this transaction exist between you and my Son
Mohammed Abacha. Remember to include your contact address private
tel/fax or mobile number for easy communication.

Best Regards.
Hajia. Mariam Abacha


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Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam