If you haven’t yet received at least one invitation from someone in Nigeria seeking help extracting millions in ill-gotten gains from the government before some calamity befell their father, uncle, cousin, whatever, then you’re perhaps one of the few lucky ones on the Net. I receive at least a half-dozen a week, all typically starting out similarly:
“I am Mrs. Amina Mohammed, cousin and Personal Assistant to former Nigeria Head of State, Late General Sanni Abacha who died on the 8th July 1998 while in power…”
Various people have explored the scam here, but the best I’ve found yet is the Fraud: Mike Aba [link subsequently removed: obsolete] which is a bit convoluted and twisted, but certainly interesting reading!
In the latest news, a Nigerian Diplomat shot dead in Prague is linked to a possible successful Nigerian swindle, as you can see from reading the report.
It’s interesting because it’s one of the first times I’m aware that the cost to the scammer might be greater than simply losing an Internet connection and email address… I don’t want to support a violent response of this nature, but if more people scammed were to aggressively respond, then scammers might be a bit more reticent about broadcasting this idiocy to the world at large.
Dear Friend
Greetings !!
I come to you with a sincere heart believing in Almighty Allah that you will consider my plight and come to
help and also benefit from me.
I am Mrs. Amina Mohammed, cousin and Personal Assistant to former Nigeria Head of State, Late General Sanni Abacha who died on the 8th July 1998 while in power. Before I proceed please accept my apology for the
embarrassment this mail might cause you for coming from a total stranger who you do not know. Actually I got your contact from the Internet; please do not feel bad about it because I am compelled to reach you due to
urgent need to safeguard the money in question. Once again, forgive me and come to my aid. Please read the following
carefully.
Sometime in early 1997, my boss late Gen. Sanni Abacha entrusted to me the sum of US$20.5M in cash (Twenty million, five hundred thousand US dollars)due to the trust and confidence he had in me. This money was meant for campaign in his self-succession id but unfortunately he suddenly died before actualization of his aspiration. This amount of $20.5M in CASH was deposited with a security company which I will disclose in subsequent mail in a giant trunk box as diplomatic consignments In agreement with Mr.Mohammed Abacha who is the son of late General Abacha and the heir to the money. I write to solicit your assistance for the money to be transferred to your custody. Note that Mr.Mohammed
Abacha is currently in detention by the present Nigeria Government for reasons linked to activities of his father when
he was in power. Now based on the business trust I have on you, I would want you to come forward and receive this consignment containing the money in cash on our behalf from the security company for subsequent disbursement between you and us. Understand that we are soliciting your assistance because the present Nigerian Government
is seizing/freezing any Bank Account or valuables belonging to the late Head of state’s family and relatives. In fact we do not have enough money now to sustain our family so, I will appreciate if you can consider our plight and assist us. For your assistance, we have agreed to compensate you with 20% of the total amount ($20.5) while the remaining 80% is for us. We hope to invest part of our share in your country on viable area of investment as you may advise us.
If you are interested you will need to visit the Security Company for clearance of the consignment. I assure you that the transaction is 100% risk free. Please I implore you to keep this transaction absolutely secret against negative exposure. I would want you to contact me immediately so that we can proceed with the business. You should please on reply
enclose your private telephone, fax number so that we can have more confidential correspondence.
Best regards,
Mrs.Amina Mohammed.
dear sir/modom
im an iranian youngestar.as you have told above I got 3 letters from a person(mrs Amina Mohammed)
although i answered them and she again mailed me her photo and some other mails from her lawyer.
anyway i cant get a handle on this matter would you mail me and inform me who sends this kind of mails?and why?is it profitable for them.thank you in advance.im looking forward to hear from you soon.
faithfully yours
Thats a big epidemic right now! We have a new Dating Site online since a view month and we have a hug database of scammer-pictures and emails allready.
90% of woman-suscriptions are fakers and scammers, unbelievable!
Since the goverment of Nigeria is fighting against this criminals, these guys use to operate from Senegal and Ivory Coast…
I have received the same letter from Mrs. Amina Mohammad and her lawyer. But they have not asked me for any money. Matter of fact they are saying that they are going to send me money to pay for the transport of the 20.5 mil. So, where is the money scam. How are they scamming me for money.
(i just recieved this letter from Mrs,Amina Mohammad. i thought to report this.) ASALAM ALAIKUM MY BROTHER IN ISLAM
Dear Frined
Greetings !!
I come to you with a sincere heart believing in Almighty Allah that you will
consider my plight and come to help and also benefit from me.
I am Mrs. Amina Mohammed, cousin and Personal Assistant to former Nigeria
Head of State, Late General Sanni Abacha who died on the 8th July 1998 while
in power. Before I proceed please accept my apology for the embarrassment
this mail might cause you for coming from a total stranger who you do not
know. Actually I got your contact from the Internet; please do not feel bad
about it because I am compelled to reach you due to urgent need to safeguard
the money in question. Once again, forgive me and come to my aid. Please
read the following carefully.
Sometime in early 1997, my boss late Gen. Sanni Abacha entrusted to me the
sum of US$20.5M in cash (Twenty million, five hundred thousand US
dollars)due to the trust and confidence he had in me. This money was meant
for campaign in his self-succession id but unfortunately he suddenly died
before actualization of his aspiration. This amount of $20.5M in CASH was
deposited with a security company which I will disclose in subsequent mail
in a giant trunk box as diplomatic consignments In agreement with
Mr.Mohammed Abacha who is the son of late General Abacha and the heir to the
money. I write to solicit your assistance for the money to be transferred to
your custody. Note that Mr.Mohammed Abacha is currently in detention by the
present Nigeria Government for reasons linked to activities of his father
when he was in power. Now based on the business trust I have on you, I would
want you to come forward and receive this consignment containing the money
in cash on our behalf from the security company for subsequent disbursement
between you and us. Understand that we are soliciting your assistance
because the present Nigerian Government is seizing/freezing any Bank Account
or valuables belonging to the late Head of state’s family and relatives. In
fact we do not have enough money now to sustain our family so, I will
appreciate if you can consider our plight and assist us. For your
assistance, we have agreed to compensate you with 20% of the total amount
($20.5) while the remaining 80% is for us. We hope to invest part of our
share in your country on viable area of investment as you may advise us.
If you are interested you will need to visit the Security Company for
clearance of the consignment. I assure you that the transaction is 100% risk
free. Please I implore you to keep this transaction absolutely secret
against negative exposure. I would want you to contact me immediately so
that we can proceed with the business. You should please on reply enclose
your private telephone, fax number so that we can have more confidential
correspondence.
Best regards,
Mrs.Amina Mohammed
mrsamina23ng@yahoo.com