419 scam: "Mrs Maria Elena Fernandez"<fernandez002@live.com> from...Mrs Maria

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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:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Maria Elena Fernandez" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <mafernandez39@googlemail.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 23:22:19 -0000
Subject: from...Mrs Maria

GREETINGS!
>From Mrs Maria Elena Fernandez,

I am the above named person from Philippine. I am married to Mr. Rodolfo FERNANDEZ, The CEO Veekrol Link Cote d'ivoire Sarl, a seasoned Contractor In West African Region before his untimely death in the year 2006.

We were married for eleven years without a child. He died in his home country Philippine after a brief illness that lasted for only four days Before his death we were both born again Christian.

Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $9.5Musd (Ninie Million Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars) as Fixed Deposit in one of the prominent banks in ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE.

Recently, my Doctor told me that i have serious cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is the high blood preasure sickness. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church or individual that will utilize this money religiously. I want a church or individual that will use this fund for orphanages, hurricane and Myanmar cyclone victims,
widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.

I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace".

I don't need any telephone communication as i have hearing problems and would like any third party until this mission is accomplished.

With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply with full assurance of your assistance, I shall give you the legal proof of this matter and contact of the bank in Abidjan Cote d' ivoire. I will also issue you an authority letter with deposit confirmations that will prove your claims authentic .

Hoping to receive your reply.

Remain blessed in the Lord.

Yours in Christ,
Mrs Maria Elena Fernandez

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam