From: "MIRIAM ABACHA" <hajii90@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 09 Oct 2002 00:34:31
To: [...]
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL

Attn: President

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

with a heart full of tears I write to seek for your help at this time of grief in my family. I am Alhaja Mariam Abacha, the wife of Nigerian former head of state, Late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Soon after the demise of my husband, the succeeding regime of Abdusallami Abubakar besieged my family and started probing every activity of my husband while in office. The present civilian government continued with probe to the extent of arresting my son Mohammed Abacha alongside with my husband's Chief Security Officer (CSO), major Hamza Mustapha. The two are currently facing trial in the court.

Several false allegation of murder of some politician, Activists/prodemocracy agents; misgovernance and vast loot of the Nations Treasury were levelled against my husband. As a result, all our properties have been seized and our Bank Account frozen leaving us with no means of livelihood.

The only money left for us is a defaced cash sum of US$40M (Fourty Million U.S Dollars) contained in three trunk boxes which I instructed my half brother to take out of the country immediately my husband died. The money has to be defaced in order to beat security op eratives while on transit. My half brother was able to cross the boxes to Cotonou, Benin Republic of West Africa, and deposited them with a Trust / Security Company as family Treasures.

Right now, my family is in urgent need of having this money invested outside West Africa because of several ongoing probes on ex-service men and also political instasbility in the country.

My request therefore is for you to give me necessary assistance to claim this money from the security company and transfer it to your personal account in your country. Our family lawyer will process the enabiling documents in your name as the Trustee/Beneficiary of the fund to facilitate its withdrawal.

I have much hope that you will certainly help me out of this crisis situation. I am equally willing to compensate your effort with the sum of US$5M when the money arrives your account.

Please note that government is still keeping surveillance over the activities of my family with regards to travelling and Telephone calls. Therefore you should treat this business with absolute confidentiality. All your correspondence to me must be strictly through my e-mai l address.

The lawyer as my representative would be meeting you in due course on my behalf as the need may arise.

I assure you that no risk of any kind is involved in this transaction.

I eargerly await your immediate reply. Endeavour to give me your private telephone and fax numbers so that I can reach you anytime.

May God bless you.