For Interpol, “4-1-9” scams have become as notorious and unstoppable as narcotics trafficking. They are named after the section of the Nigerian penal code which addresses fraud schemes. And, although Nigerians are the masters of these scams, Europeans, Asians and even Americans are honing similar schemes with remarkable success.
419 scams take many forms but the essential ingredients are patented. (Click here for detailed information from Interpol on how they work.) But here’s how I was solicited by email as a 419 target just days ago [and, except for editing my name, I’ve copied the email in its entirety]:
From: “Mariam Abacha” [email protected] [note the 007 ref]
Subject:urgent (Do Not Ignore) [ALH]
Date: Wed, 07 Sep 2005 02:59:03 +0000Dear [ALH]
First of all i will like you to kindly view this sites, it will help to believe this story and understand. [Here she provided links to news stories about former Nigerian Dictator Gen. Sani Abacha]
This business proposal to you is strictly confidential, with due respect. Sorry at this perceived confusion or stress may have receiving this letter from me, Since we have not known ourselves or met previously. Despite that, I am constrained to write you this letter because of the urgency of it.By way of self introduction. I am Mrs. Mariam Abacha, the widow of the late Gen. Sanni Abacha former Nigerian Military Head of State who died mysteriously as a result of Cardiac Arrest. Since after my husband?s death my family is under restriction of movement and that not with standing, we are being molested, policed and our Bank Account both here and abroad are being frozen by the Nigerian Civilian Government.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 frist son was just released from detention some months ago by the Nigerian Government for an offence he did not commit. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with anybody within the country.
Furthermore, for more interrogation about my husband?s assists and some vital documents he’s movement is also been monitored. Following the recent discovery of my husband?s Bank Account by the Nigerian Government with Swiss Bank in which the huge sum of US$700Million and DM450Milllion was logged. I therefore decided to contact you in confidence that I was able to move out the sum of US$30Million , which was secretly lodged in a trunk box (CONSIGNMENTS)and deposited with a Security Company in europe as materials of Inheritance.
I therefore personally, appeal to you seriously and religiously for your urgent assistance to move this money into your country where I believe it will be safe since I cannot leave the country due to the restriction of movement imposed on the members of my family by the Nigerian Government.
You we be contacted by my second son mustapha, seeking asylum in United Kingdom shall arrange with you for a face to face meeting , in order to liaise with you toward effective completion of this transaction.
However, arrangements have been put in place as soon as you indicate your interest, forward to me your Telephone Number,Fax Number and your Postal Address so that i can send it to my son for him to contact you .the Certificate of Deposit and other necessary documents, are with my son, he will give you this doccunment to enable you to claime this funds as my beneficiary.
Conclusively, we have agreed to offer you 30% of the total sum while 70% is to be held on trust by you until we decide on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to our free movement by the Nigerian Government.
Please reply urgently and treat with absolute confidentiality and sincerity.
Best Regards,
Hajia Mariam abacha(Mrs.)
The 419 scam has been around for decades. And it is particularly apt that Nigerians are the evil geniuses credited with its creation. Because, I recall reading many years ago the cautionary lamentations of Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka on the amount of his country’s considerable brain power that was being dedicated to graft. (Incidentally, I highly recommend Soyinka’s 2001 play “King Baabu” which parodies the abuse of dictatorial powers by African leaders and is, in fact, based on the aforementioned Gen. Abacha.)
Yet, according to Special Agent James Caldwell of the U.S. Secret Service – Financial Crimes Division:
We have confirmed losses just in the United States of over $100 million in the last 15 months and that’s just the ones we know of. We figure a lot of people don’t report them.
Therefore, if you’ve been taken by this scam and are not too humiliated to report it, click here for some very helpful information. If you receive any such correspondence, DO NOT REPLY!
Click here to read why some people might find the alleged Mrs Abacha’s letter credible.
Beware!
(By the way, please be mindful of internet swindlers who have set-up websites – that look remarkably similar to legitimate ones – to solicit money for victims of Hurricane Katrina)
UPDATE: A significant number of friends and associates have enquired about how the enterprising Mrs Abacha could have gotten my private email address and full name. But all I could offer in reply was that even Bill Gates wondered aloud about this question when he mentioned the heart- wrenching solicitations he receives purportedly on behalf of starving children in Africa.
Alas, privileged information on the internet is oxymoronic!
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Anonymous says
thanks for the warnig. i know some one who was taken. i was tempted but am too catholic to feel comfortable taking “easy money”