419 scam: Maria Fernandez <ferrnnandez1965@hotmail.com> 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:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Maria Fernandez <ferrnnandez1965@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: Maria Fernandez <mariafernadez@libero.it>
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 21:45:56 +0000 (UTC)
Subject: Maria

Â Hello my Dear, am pleased to meet you.

I guess you don't really know me and I believe you must have received so many kinds of messages: However, after going through your profile, I felt like meeting you.

I am Mrs. Maria FERNANDEZ from the Philippines and as you know, I have been a widow since the 15th of May 2006. I was working with the Philippines High Court until I got retired.

I inherited the sum of 12, 000,000.00 USD from my late husband; This fund have been kept in a metallic box and deposited with the a security company here in the Philippines.

I would like to confide in you as I want to live the Philippines and come to your country for my future investment. I bide you to bear with me as this world so full of evil minded people and internet as well; Still I put my faith in God while contacting you because I have no other choice than to take this life risk.

Looking forward for a quick reply from you,

Regards,
Maria Fernandez

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam