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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: "Hajia Mariam Abacha" <hajiamariamabacha@cooltoad.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:16:51 -0700
Subject: Mrs.Hajia Mariam Abacha

Dear Friend,

I am Hajia Mariam Abacha the wife to the former head of state the Federal Republic of Nigeran Late General Sani Abacha.

Following the sudden death of my husband General Sanni Abacha the late former head of state of Nigeria in June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of utter confusion, frustration and hopelessness by the present civilian administration, I have been subjected to physical and psychological torture by the security agents in the country.

I have lost confidence in almost everybody within the country. You must have heard over the media reports and the internet on the recovery of various huge sums of money deposited by my husband in different security firms abroad,some companies willingly give up their secrets and disclosed our money confidently lodged there while many out right blackmail. In fact the total sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of $700 Million dollars. And they are not relenting to make me poor for life. I got your contacts from a reliable private search and out of desperation decided to reach you.I will give you more information as to this regard as soon as you reply. I repose great confidence in you hence my approach to you due to security network placed on my daily affairs I cannot afford to visit the embassy so that is why I decided to contact you and I hope you will not betray my confidence in you. I have deposited the sum of 35 Million United States Dollars with the diplom
atic Courier services in Europe.

I shall be grateful if you could assist me clear this funds from the Diplomatic Office and have it transfered to your account for safe keeping. This arrangement is known to you, my family attorney and my Eldest son Mohammed Abacha alone, who have just been relised from detention by the Federal Government, so my lawyer will deal directly with you in assisting you obtain all necessary document to enhance the purpose of your claim as the final beneficiary to the deposited consignment, as security is up my whole being.

I am seriously considering to settle down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours, where my family and I will have a safe heaven, as soon as this fund get into your account so that I can start all over again if only you wish.

I am ready to part with accrue you 25% of this fund for your assistance, while substantial part of the fund will go into any profitable venture you see necessary for us to invest. Please honesty is the watch word in this transaction. I will urgently require for your very private number or mobile number if any.Please your quick action will be highly appreciated, as I expect hearing from you soonest,though this transaction should remain under maximum confidentiality at this stage in other not to get my government know about it as they are after seizing my family fortunes into their private account for personal use.

Presently I am a widow with a bitter heart, this assistance will go along way to bring my family back to normal and put my entire family in shape because nobody is aware of this funds.Only for you to render this assistance for big drive and change to my family and I know almighty Allah will for ever prosper you.

Sincerely yours

Hajia Mariam Abacha
Email:hajiamariamabacha@cooltoad.com

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