419 scam: "Mrs Hellen Baker" <mrshellenb@hotmail.com> I need your honest reply

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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. )
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- mrshellenbaker2010@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs Hellen Baker" <mrshellenb@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: mrshellenbaker2010@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:18:52 +0200 (CEST)
Subject: I need your honest reply

Building 400, Green Zone,
Western Business Park,
Bournemouth International Airport,
Hurn, BH24 2NW.
Dorset, England.

Good day,

You might be skeptical about this message based on the fact that we have
not met before, but i believe the lord will give you the strength and
understanding to read this message and see reasons with me. My name
Mrs.Helen Baker from Italy but i reside in Dorset,England. I am a 52 year
old childless widow. Recently my Doctor told me that I would not last for
the next 3 months due to my cancer ailment. Before the death of my Late
Husband who was a British citizen, we deposited some money with a
security company here in England and our decision was to donate this fund
for the charity purpose, since we do not have a child that will inherit
this money.I know that you get alot of this type of mail everyday,me
too.That was how i got this idea of using this medium to contact you my
dear.I want you to be plain and truthful to me for i am to you.The lord
sees all things and knows why they occur.

I believe in the lord and serve him with all my heart and i will not use
his name in vain.I have no better option but to use this medium to contact
you.Everything i tell/reveal to you is the truth and nothing but the
truth.I want you help me invest this fund on CHARITY in your area. I want
it used for the betterment of humanity. As soon as i receive your reply i
shall inform my lawyer/security companies to assist you take over the
funds from the security firm, which you shall use for the establishment of
the charity ventures to the Glory of God almighty.Please my dear,feel free
to tell me anything and open up to me.

If you cannot help me,kindly tell me.I know that it is a strange way of
asking you for a favor.I am helpless and cannot do this on my own because
of my ailment.I need a God fearing person to help me carry out this task
for me.I am only being candid with you for i have no time to play
games.Take me as a sister and help me if you can.If you know that you have
a negative mind about this,do not reply,for anything worth doing is worth
doing well.Assure me that you will act as i stated herein.

Please reply back with honesty via email: mrshellenbaker2010@gmail.com

God bless you.
Mrs.Hellen Baker

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam