419 scam: "Helen Camara"<helencamara77@yahoo.com> From Bujumbura Refugee Camp

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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 beloved," (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- ",000,000" (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)
- "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)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Helen Camara" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <helencamara43@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:40:21 -0000
Subject: From Bujumbura Refugee Camp

>From Bujumbura Refugee Camp
Accra Ghana

My dear Beloved,

FROM HELEN CAMARA (REQUEST FOR ASSISTANT)

I will start by introducing myself formally; I am Mrs. Helen Camara mother of seven, I was the wife to Late Dr. Fidelis Camara former
chairman of Sierra Leone national gold & Diamond Corporation.

My husband was as assassinated by the rebels, led by major john Paul Koromah on 18th of June 1997 because my family never supported the major
john Paul Koromah and his group that overthrew our democratically elected president, Ahmed Tejan Kabba and forced him to exile, I realized that
my family name or my maiden name will not guarantee safety for my life or that of my kids I decided to find a refuge in a foreign land through
the ECCOMOG pace keeping force.

I am contacting you based on the understanding that you will help me transfer the sum of $20,000,000.00 USD cash that is lodged in a bank
and family valuables worth over $35,000,000.00 USD deposited in a finance Security Company . I am writing you this proposal so that you
will help me initiate the transfer the money into your country, this I will like to use for investment purposes and charity works.
You will be entitled to 25% of the said funds as your commission for helping me and my family facilitate or initiate this transfer. You will also be at
theliberty to partner with me in any project.

I will be expecting your Urgent response from you, I will like you to call or write me with this email and phone numbers.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs. Helen Camara

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam