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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.

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

Fraud email example:

From: INVESTMENT ADVICE NEEDED <mabacha0@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:37:19 +0100
Subject: INVESTMENT ADVICE NEEDED

From:Mrs.Mariam Abacha Email:maria1010@katamail.com 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 artner 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. The pressent Government in Nigeria had frozen and seized all our bank accounts both here in Nigeria and abroad. herefore, 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:maria1010@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 Lawyer Barrister Saraki Umar. Remember to include your contact address private tel/fax or mobile number for easy communication.or you can contact my lawyer on his email address for more details:(sarakiumaresq@gmail.com) Best Regards. Mrs.Mariam Abacha

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