419 scam: abachas widow <abacha1.miriam@gmail.com> THE AGONY OF A WIDOW

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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:

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:
- "honesty is the watchword" (the question is not whether they can trust you, but whether you have any reason to trust this person or anyone this person tells you to contact)
- "million 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)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "federal high court" (This court is often mentioned in '419' scams to give the victim a reason why he/she should send thousands of dollars to the scammers. A 'Federal High Court' exists in Germany and Nigeria, but not in other countries, such as the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Senegal, Benin, South Africa or other countries where fake lawyers in scams often claim to be based. )
- "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.
- miriam1_widow@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: abachas widow <abacha1.miriam@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2014 07:27:21 -0700
Subject: THE AGONY OF A WIDOW

Dear Sir,

I hope this proposal will not come to you as a surprise as you do not
know who I am, please kindly treat as urgent and confidential.

Following the sudden death of my husband General Sani 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.

My son was only recently released from detention due to health related
reason, he was initially detained for an offence he did not commit, he
is still being arraigned before the federal high court of Nigeria till
date. As a widow that is so traumatizing for me,I have lost confidence
with anybody 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 or many outright blackmail. In fact, the
total
sum discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of
(USD$1,350b)billion dollars.

Moreover, they are not relenting to make me poor for life. I got your
contacts through my personal research, and out of desperation decided
to reach you through this medium. 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 day to
day 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 twenty million dollars with a security
firm abroad whose name is withheld for now until we open
communication. I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into
your account for safekeeping. You and my son Mustapha Abacha alone
know this arrangement, so my son will deal directly with you as
security is up my whole being. I am seriously considering to settle
down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as this fund
get into your account so that I can start all over again if only you
wish, but if it is impossible, just help me in diverting this fund
into your account which will accrue you (30%) of this fund.Please
honesty is the watchword in this transaction. I will require your
telephone and fax numbers so that we can commence communication
immediately and I will give you a more detailed picture of things. In
case you do not accept, please do not let me out to the security as I
am giving you this information in total trust and confidence .I will
greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith.

Please expedite action. you can indicate so by your response to my
private Email:is (miriam1_widow@yahoo.com)

Yours faithfully,
Mrs Miriam Abacha

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam