419 scam: "Mrs. Helin Benson" <mrslinda_hans@yahoo.co.jp> My dearest, Friend.

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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:
- "huge amount of money" (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)
- "hundred thousand u.s dollars" (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)
- ",500,000" (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)
- "abidjan" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Helin Benson" <mrslinda_hans@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: "Mrs. Helin Benson" <ad.cheng1@yahoo.fr>
Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 02:56:39 +0900 (JST)
Subject: My dearest, Friend.

MRS HELIN BENSON
Avenue A16 room, rue 45
Chu De Cocody,Hospital
Youpugou, Abidjan
Côte d'Ivoire.

My dearest, Friend.

My name is Mrs. Helin Benson, I am from West, Côte d'Ivoire. I and my daughters decided to writing you for help in a business project which we intend to establish in your Country, due to my late husband's relatives. I lost my husband few months back, he died on fire explosion while working with oil company. I am currently admitted in a private hospital, I was diagnosed with long time illness (Leukemia Cancer).

There is this huge amount of money Five million, five hundred thousand U.S dollars($5,500,000.00), my late Husband Mr. BENSON POLAKA, when he was alive he deposited in a Bank. Presently, this money is still in bank. And because of the presence of my late husband relatives around me, I don't want them to know about this development why because, these funds is for the development of orphanages homes, widows in the charity society, while part of this fund is for the future of my kids to invest in your country, so that they will continue with their education and to stand as their guardian in business until they are out of school to handle any investment.

I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health and the presence of my late husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development. Now, my daughters and I decieded to invest these money in your country or anywhere safe enough outside our County for security purposes. We want you to help us get an account, so that we transfer this fund for investment purposes on the followings, to invest it in orphanages International School.

I believe you will not cheat us when the funds get to your bank account,an agreement will make on your percentage during your acceptance to help us. May you permit me to ask you this few questions, can you be trusted to handle this project? If you are interested in this transaction, consider me and get back to me as soon as possible, I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank, so kindly reply direct to my personal e-mail box.

Extend my warmest regards to your entire family and I await your soonest response.

I am waiting for your favorable reply.
Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Helin Benson

Anti-fraud resources:

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