Nigerian Email Fraud - 419 Scams
By Aaron Larson
Law Offices of Aaron Larson
June, 2004
Contents
- How Does This Email Fraud Work
- But The Letter I Received Is From A Different Country
- How Did They Find Me?
- I Got The Same Type Of Letter, But By Fax - Is That Different?
- What Harm Is There In Contacting Them, "Just In Case"?
- A Sample Letter
- Who Are The People Named In The Emails?
- What Can I Do About Spam Email?
You just received an email from somebody - perhaps a barrister, a relative of a deposed head of state, or a widow in distress - asking for your help. The email may seem almost comical, containing childish spelling and grammatical errors. The person who sent you the email claims to have an enormous amount of cash - millions of dollars - but they can't get it out of the country in which it is situated. If only you will assist them, they will give you a considerable commission amounting to millions of dollars. All they need is a good hearted person with a bank account, and...
It sounds "way too good to be true".... But it is also awfully tempting. Isn't it? What's the possible harm if you reply....
How Does This Email Fraud Work?
Nigerian email fraud is a type of "advance fee" fraud, with an associated possibility of identity theft. Sometimes this type of fraud is called "419" fraud, after the underenforced section of the Nigerian criminal code which makes it illegal. In short, a criminal sends out thousands of spam emails, hoping that an unsuspecting soul will reply. Once contact is made, and it appears that the response is from somebody who may fall for the scam, the criminal will repeatedly make promises to send the promised cash, but problem after problem will arise. These problems can only be resolved, the criminal will swear, if the target sends them money to pay certain fees or bribe various officials. (The term "advance fee" refers to the money they get from you - and despite their promises of riches, you never get a cent in return.)
Sometimes, the fees and bribes these people describe will seem small, particularly in comparison to the riches they offer. But there is no upside - even if you are only "risking" $30 or $40, you'll lose that money forever. And some people have literally been cheated out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Please note that these criminals often run multiple scams, including false promises of inheritance or lottery winnings.
But The Letter I Received Is From A Different Country
Please do not make the mistake of assuming that the same type of offer from another country, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Kenya, Senegal, Zaire, the Congo, the United Arab Emirates, or Sierra Leone, or even European nations such as England or Spain, is legitimate. There are people who operate the same type of fraud from a wide range of nations. Also, some scammers who are located in Nigeria will lie about their location.
Please remember that this type of email is always fraudulent, no matter who sends it or where they claim to be from.
How Did They Find Me?
Most people who have an email address for any significant amount of time receive so-called "spam email" (more politely known as "unsolicited commercial email.") Spammers create lists of email addresses by collecting them from websites, buying them from other businesses, and even by guessing possible names on popular email hosts such as Yahoo! mail and Hotmail. It is possible to buy large email lists for relatively small amounts of money. Most people who are running these scams get spam mailing lists in this manner, or buy them from spammers.
I Got The Same Type Of Letter, But By Fax - Is That Different?
Prior to the rise of email, it was common for this type of scammer to approach people by fax or even by regular mail. I am sure they are working on a way to reach people by instant messenger. However they reach you, they are trying to cheat you.
What Harm Is There In Contacting Them, "Just In Case"?
First, there is no point in contacting them "just in case" - of the thousands upon thousands of people who have been cheated in this manner, not one has received the promised money. You won't, either.
Second, you may inadvertently provide the scammer with information that they can use to fake your identity and commit credit card fraud or bank fraud. Even providing them with your name and bank account number can provide them with the basis to try to forge a bank draft or obtain a fraudulent money transfer from your account. If you give them any information, they will try to use it to cheat you.
Third, some of these scammers will actively try to lure you to Africa with the intention of holding you for ransom.
You may have seen sites where people turned the tables on the scammers, making them do foolish things or stringing them along. But it's safer just to delete their emails and forget them.
A Sample Letter
The following is a sample spam letter from this particular scam:
| From: markson2@jumpy.it [mailto:markson2@jumpy.it] Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 7:20 AM To: markson2@jumpy.it Subject: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED ASYLUM CAMP ABIDJAN Dear Sir, I am markson Kamara the only son of late former Director of finance, Chief Vincent R. Kamara of Sierra-Leone diamond and mining corporation. I must confess my agitation is real, and my words are my bond in this proposal. My late father diverted this fund acquired from the over influencing of price of sales/purchasing of raw materials., now he deposited the money with a BANK IN ABIDJAN BY FIXED DEPOSIT FORM, where I am residing under political asylum with my younger sister Juliet who is 17 years old. Now the war in my country is overwith the help of ECOMOG soldiers, the present government of Sierra Leone has revoked the passport of all officers who served under the former regime and now ask countries to expel such person at the same time, freeze their account and confiscate their assets, it is on this note that I am contacting you, all I needed from you is to furnish me with your bank particulars: 1) Bank name I am compensating you with 20% of the total money amount, now all my hope is banked on you and I really want to invest this money in your country, where there is stability of Government, political and economic welfare. Honestly I want you to believe that this transaction is real and never a joke. My late father Chief Kamara gave me the photocopy of the deposit certificate issued to him by the BANK IN ABIDJAN on the date of deposit, and he called me closer to his bed side before his call to glory (R.I.P) that I should pray to God first, before contacting any foreigner and he warned me strictly not to deal with a greedy and evil minded people since this is the only legacy we are inheriting from him. Please, for you to be clarified because, I do not expose myself to anybody I see, I believe that you are able to keep this transaction secret for me because this money is the hope of my life, it is important. Please contact me immediately after you must have gone through my message, and feel free to make it urgent. That is the reason why I offered you 20 % of the total amount, and in case of any other necessary expenses you might incure during this transaction including your telephone calls. N.B: Try and negotiate for me some profitable blue chip investment opportunities which is risk free that I can invest with this money when it is transferred to your account, and you will be our guardian, personally I am interested in estate management and hotel business, please advise me. Contact me immediately you receive this message for more explanation. And promise me and Juliet my younger sister to be a father considering our situation and not to betray us please. Thanks and God bless Best regards Markson / Juliet Kamara NB: my late father used me the only son as the beneficiary / next of kin on theday of deposit and also told me that I need an assistance of a foreigner with alegitimate bank Account abroad who will stand as co-beneficiary and partner abroad. |
Who Are The People Named In The Emails?
In order to make these spam emails seem more real, the scammers will use the names of real people, including lawyers, priests, former heads of state and politicians, as well as a wide assortment of fake names. The following list of names may seem huge, but it reflects only a small percentage of the fake names used in this scam:
| Abba Abacha Abbas Abacha Abdul Fadi Abdul Kareem Abdul One Useni Abdulahi Kano Abdullahi Mohammed Abel McDonald Abiola Williams Abubakar Bello Ada Jaems Adaeze Rimi Adam Ndiye Adam Njaye Adams Dikko Ade Benzer Ademola Williams Adeola Williams Adewale Abiola Agada Egoh Agatha Kwame Ahmed Jegah Ahmed Johnson Ahmed Saleh Aisha Kabila Aisha Mbane Aishatou Rasak Alahaja Rashidat Bamaiyi Alahaji Cyril Albert Conde Alex Bioku Alex Danbaba Alex Dickson Alex Princewill Alexi Bello Alhaja Miriam Abacha Alhaja Viviana Bada James Alhaji el Saleh Abacha Alhaji Ibrahim Danjuma Alhaji Malam Yakubu Alhaji Usman Yerima Alice Kobe Allen Mongan Allhaji Ammed Shiku Almendo S. Savimbi Ambrose Nkunu Amechi Owo Amina Abacha Amina Bola Ige Amina Ige Anderson Kumalo Andreas B. Smith Andrew Jacobson Andy Bello Andy Sanko Angel F. Naverro Angela Ankoh Benin Anil Kumar Bachoo Ann Barabara Myers Ann Udom Anthony Aluga Anthony Enjankalah Anthony Ezeka Anthony Ozor Anthony Williams Antonio Nzam Aram Charly Aroujo Tao Savimbi Arthur Makura Aruna Guei Astonoos Hermann Atakata Atinuke Ige Austin Tekere Baba Manu Babs Anthony Bada Musa Bagudu Williams Baldwin Gozie Barrister Ahmed Cole Barrister Ahmed Johnson Barrister Ahmed M. Idris Barrister Bello Kareem Barrister Ben Cassy, Esq. Barrister Blessing Justice Barrister Bode Rotimi Solicitor Barrister Buba Moha Barrister Danladi Musa Barrister Davidson Welch Barrister Edward Kings Barrister George Emeka Barrister Graham Douglas Barrister Hafiz Judy Barrister J. Phillips Barrister James Williams Barrister Kelvin Pepple Barrister Lawrence Molo Barrister Mike Okoye Barrister Mohammed Kazim Barrister Musa Yakubu Barrister Obrien Usman Barrister Olabode Thomas Barrister Richard Fernandez Barrister Rotimi Williams Barrister Sani Oguma Barrister Segun Bakare Barrister Senator Bello, Esq. Barrister Tunde Hassan Barrister Umoru R. Barrister Vincent Hama Barrister Williams T. Falana Barry Kelly Basher Mobuto Sese-Seko Bashir Manu Bassey Asika Bello Aba Bello Seko Ben Joe Ben Manu Ben Tikko Benson Kabo Benson Oka Benson Seko Bernard Cassy Bimbo Daramola Blessing Kante Bob Zuma Bode Thomas Ige Boniface Eze Bowazi Roy Brown Ama Job Brown Potricio Bruce Raymond Bulawa Mulete, Jr. Cecilia Aku Cecilia Mark Aku Cesar David Charles Anthony Charles Dubem Charles Ela Charles Nwodo Chidiebere Amanze Chief Bagudu Williams Chief Bello Osagie Chief David Igho Chief Mariam Abacha Chief Martin Okilo Chief Oluremi Odetayo Chief Oyinbolowo Eko Chief Patrick Oladokun Chief Tony Sanusi Chika Paul Chinonyere Ohaegbu Chris Kanu Christopher Allevanmento Chucks Ikeg Cinon Abiola Cisse Coudere Clement Obaseki Cliff Roberts Clifford Ekoe Cethswayo Clifford Smith Coker Bankole Col. Bangi Hama [Rtd] Col. Carlos Buchiza Col. Ibrahim Mustapha Col. John Lumumba Col. Kenneth Abelange Col. Thomas Idah Col. Wilfred Tukur Col. Zizo Girai Cole Joseph Collins Brown Comfort Faith Adams Congolese President Kabila Coulibaly Kone Cynthia Boboh Cyril Omorodion Cyril Otoo D. Arlett Johnson Daisy Ho Yuen Daniel Ibe Daniel Kargbo Daniel Lima Dantata Idris Dantata David Mukalele David O. Masarah David Olu David Omo David Pearse, Jnr. David Williams Davies Manga Davis Masinga Deacon David Donka Dele Martins Dele Williams Denis Dube, Esq. Denis Luseni Dennis Garvin Dennis Ubong Desmond Chikwelu Desmond Ngoyah Diaka Tshombe Dickson Amade Zimbabwe Dickson Mubane Dickson Oboh Dikachi Obong Dikko Mobutu Dolor Gwarzo Dominic Dukas Donald Bidwell Donald Kayode Donald Lambert Donald Savimbi Douglas Muzomba Dr. Ud. Pius Dr. Yemi Musa Dr. Francis Okoh Dr. Abbas Baba Dr. Abdul Kadiri Dr. Abel Chukwu / Dr. James Abudu Dr. Abraham Kazulu Dr. Adams Mbeki Dr. Adamu M. Modibbo Dr. Adedoyin Thomas Dr. Adewole Aremu Dr. Afam Francis / Dr. Adamu Williams Dr. Agu Julius Dr. Ahmed Abdalla Dr. Ahmed Adebayo Dr. Ahmed Bello Dr. Ajinni Adebisi Dr. Alex Hinder Dr. Ali Kaloma Dr. Aminu Atiku Dr. Andrew Coker Dr. Aret Danga Dr. Baba Ojo Dr. Babriel Okhai Dr. Bayola Bule Dr. Ben Oguejiofor Dr. Ben Okon Dr. Ben Reginald Okon Dr. Benson Zoba Dr. Broga Doudou Dr. Brown Dumbushe Dr. Charles Nujoma Dr. Charles Piedo Dr. Charles Scott Dr. Chuba Ikechukwu Dr. Chyke Aku Dr. Cletus Tussa Dr. Dango Sakushi Dr. Daniel Ike Dr. Danzumi Gambo Dr. Dave Bry Dr. David Bonoh Dr. Dennis Okada Dr. Don Moses Dr. Donald Adeola Dr. Edward Brume Dr. Efe Osagie Dr. Eli Joseph Dr. Emeka G. Afor Dr. Emeka Hilary Dr. Emmanuel Mugabi Dr. Evans Ebemen Dr. Ezeoke Awka Dr. Fela Philips Dr. Felix Dike Dr. Femi Guobadia Dr. Femi Scott Dr. Francis S. Mboma Dr. Francis Sonto Mbomam Dr. Frank Bamawo |
Dr. Frank Ben |
John Ogbe John Pujeh John Rovet John Sese Seko John White Johnny Banana Johnson Eze Johnson Markson Johnson Mowete Johnson Savimbi Jonson Phil Okemadu Joseph Edward Joseph Savimbi Jospin Adams Juliet E. Kabila Julius Gaius-Obaseki Julius Obaseki K.S. Savimbi Kabila Dusi Kabungo M. Paul, Jnr. Kals Austin Karlman Khoroma Kasiw David Kasky Dickson Kelvin Smith Ken Agu Kenneth Abdul Kenneth Kabila Kenneth Odey Kenneth Uba Kesayi Ndiefi Keven Ozor Khalil I. Gabr Khalil Ibrahim Gabr Kimo Savimbi Kingsley Chumas Kingsley Odoms Koffi Hanis Koffi Kanjo Koffi Mensah Kofi Nkrumah Kola Abiola Kola Bello Kola Olawuyi Lady Maryam Abacha Larry Gana Larry Mamba Larry Sule Lauren Mukembe Lauren Patrick Mukembe Laurent Ibrahim Musa Kabila Jr. Laurent Kabila, Jr. Laurent Mpeti Kabila Laurent Mpeti Kabila Jnr. Laurent Mpeti Kabila, Jr. Lawrence Douglas Leslie Mabuzo Leslie Mushasha Lewis Kanzinza Lexi A. Kosoko Lilian Anthony Lizzy Galeano Loi C. Estrada Lucky Akpata Lucky Sankoh Luis Mantins Lulu Water M. Sese Seko M. Sese-Seko Mabel Mamumbi Madam Marcey Monte Maimo Johnson Malik Madaki Maraa Massaquoe Mariam Abacha Mariam Ajao Omotoriola Mariam Gida Mariam M. Sese-Seko Mariam Malatu Mariam Mobutu Seseseko Mariam Sese-Seko Marian Abacha Mark Collince Mark Jan Zulu Mark Taylor Mark Williams Mary Abacha Mary Adamsa Mary Elizabeth Jones Mary Iddo Sankoh Mary Kamara Maryam Abacha Maryam Abacha Maryam F. Abacha Maryam Hajia Masheba Stevens Masheba Steves Mathew Lappeman Matilda Konare Mbeki Salingo Meka Bakasu Te Pemako Michael F. Kadiar Michael Mick Abagbon Michael Smith Micheal Sankoh Junior Micheal Tshedu Midakabe Johnson Mike Akinde Miram M. Seseseko Miriam Abacha Miriame Kone Miss Ann Kamara Miss Charllotte D. Fologo Miss Jennifer Makosana Miss Mabel Kwayas Miss Rose Domas Makabo Mobutu Sese Seko Mohammed Abacha Mohammed Abacha Mohammed Garba Momoh Mobutu Monday Charly Kingsolo Monday Charly Thesday Monica Kabila Moning Star Morris Bello Moses Ike Moshood Seko Mobutu Moustapha Abacha Mr. Peters Mayoka Mr. Tom Ogaga Mrs Mariam Abacha Mrs Nora W. Setia Mrs. Fatimah Ali Ms. Nnengi Savimbi Mubetee Waziri Muboto Sese Seko Muha Ahmed Munirat Abacha Musa Abacha Musa Bakare Musa Ego Musa Zakari Nasel Malik Nelly Cole Nelson Masele Nelson Mesquita Nelson Sankoh Mutumba Nelson Udu Nelumba Savimbi Ngobe Ngayaka Nicholas Kabango Nkala Merimbe Nzaga M. Seseseko Nzanga Joseph Nzanga Reymound Seko Mobutu Obinna John Odeh Agbon Ogechukwu Kanma Ojo Adams Olivia Mbeki Oluremi Odetayo Onuigbo Baldwin Gozie Osa Osunde Owens James Pakwesi Oduru Patrick Okeke Paul Coffi Paul Hans Paul Okoye Paul Watanabe Pedro F. Hasler Peter A. Walker Peter Eneli Peter Kallom Peter Mbata Peter Okoye Philip Chuba Philips Jack Pittson Anderson Pius Mbata Prince Arthur-Authur Eze Prince Dr. Eden Duke Prince Ezikel Iseac Prince Ibe Prince T. J. Allens Princess Jan Professor Jacobs Tobi Ralph Dominic or Donminic Ralph Emeka Rasheed Bako Rawal Lukman Rawlings McCarthy Raymond Clark Raymound Clark Richard Abu Richard Auscar Richard Obule Robert Ajayi Robert Larry Robert Savimbi Robertson Savimbi Rosa Lamin Rose Sankoh Roseline Marve Rotimi Williams Roy Zondeki Engineer Ruben Bendel Rufus Mukhenze Safari Duke Sakombi Kengo Salim Salami Sam Scott Samuel Daji Sani Mambo Sanku Sese-Seko Segun Agbaje Senator David Mark Senator Edward Daggash Seom Gin Tchii Sesay Massaquoe Sesay Massaquoe Sese-Seko Shika Umundi Sifa Mahanya Kabila Sikiratu Seki Adams Simpson E. Okoro Sir Roland Owie, JP Smith B. Andreas Smith Lawrence Sodindo Malinga Solomon Kola West Stanley Robert Williams Stella Kadiar Stella Oji Sugi Hadi Sunny Okoli Tambo Tanko Bamaiyi Tao S. Savimbi Tao Sakaita Tete Tete Thabo M. Masebe Thaddee Kabila Theophilus Baker Thomas Guei Timothy Ige Timothy Savimbi Tina Powell Tobi Chris Williams Tony Gezi Tony Ige Tunde Buku Tutu Uche Oli Ume Ugo Usman Ibrahim Bello Vicky Savimbi Victor Daniel Victor James Victor Tunji Taylor Wanga Mobutu Sese-seko William Chucks Williams Daniel Williams Delese Williams Kabila Willy Watara Wilson Kamela Woo Chong Yakubu Ismaila Yanate Savimbi Yank Domas Makabo Yesuf Jato |
What Can I Do About Spam Email?
The best approach to avoiding spam is ordinarily to be very careful about the distribution of your email address. Once you start to receive spam at a particular email address, you will usually end up receiving increasing amounts of spam at that address no matter what you do. There is filtering technology which some find helpful, which helps to screen out spam email from legitimate email. Please review this associated article about the problem of spam email, and possible steps to avoid it.
You may also visit our Consumer Law Forums, and post information about the spam email.
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