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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 <mariabacha1950@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 10:45:23 +0100
Subject: VERY VERY URGENT PLEASE

My dear,
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 offense 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 and many
outright blackmail. In fact, the total sum discovered by the Government
so far is in the tune of (US$850,000,000.00) Eight hundred and
fifty Million US 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.

My late husband through his agents deposited the sum of
(US$45,000,000.00) Forty five million
US dollars with a security firm abroad whose name is withheld
for now until we open communication.We have huge sums of funds in
US dollars also deposited secretly in some commercial banks here
in Nigeria but in unknown names for security reasons, I shall be
grateful if you could receive this funds into your bank account
for safekeeping.

You and my daughter Miss Zainab Abacha alone know this arrangement,
so my daughter Zainab will deal directly with you as security is up
in my whole being. I am seriously considering to settle
down abroad in a friendly atmosphere like yours as soon as this
funds get into your bank account so that I can start all over again
if only you wish, but if it is impossible, just help me in
diverting this funds into your bank account which will accrue
you (30%) of this funds.


Please honesty is the watchword in this transaction. I will require
your direct mobile phone number and direct email address 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:
maryabacha1950@gmail.com

Yours faithfully,

Dr.Mrs.Mariam Abacha

VERY VERY URGENT PLEASE

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