419 scam: "Jessica Wright" <info@jessica.com> Please Respond

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- jessica-wright04@hotmail.com (Hotmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Jessica Wright" <info@jessica.com>
Reply-To: jessica-wright04@hotmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 May 2012 02:23:49 -0400 (CLT)
Subject: Please Respond

Dear Friend,

I am Mrs.Jessica Wright from Iceland, married to Late Engr Pace Wright
{PhD} who worked with MULTINATIONAL OIL COMPANY EXXON AS A DRILLING RIG
SUPPLIER in Saudi Arabia for 19 years before he died on the 25th of
August, 2009. We were married for twenty four years without a child.He
died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.Before his
death, he deposited the sum of 6,143,728.00 US Dollars with a bank and
this fund is presently with the bank awaiting my disbursement as
beneficiary and next of kin to the funds.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next eight
months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition, I decided to
donate this fund to a church, organization or good person that will
utilize this money in good faith.I took this decision because I don't have
any child that will inherit this money. I kept this deposit secret till
date, this is why I am taking this decision.

I don't think I will need any telephone communication in this regard
because of the confidentiality of this transfer. Upon your reply I shall
give you the contact of the bank. I will also issue a letter of
authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of
this money.
Await your responds and God bless you.
jessica-wright04@hotmail.com
Mrs. Jessica Wright

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam