419 scam: "Mrs.Helen Michael."<admin@howto.co.jp> VERY IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" 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.
- pastor.gfran01@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs.Helen Michael." (may be fake)
Reply-To: <pastor.gfrank01@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2015 14:25:39 +0300
Subject: VERY IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION

My Name is Mrs.Helen Michael.

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this mail finds you in an excellent condition of health.

But if you do not remember me, you have received an email from me in the past regarding my late father inheritance
multi-million-dollar business proposal which we never concluded at that time.

I am using this opportunity to inform you that my late father inheritance which was WILL in my name have been concluded with another Greek Merchant who financed it to a logical conclusion.

I thank you for your great effort
to our unfinished transfer of the funds into your account, due to one
reason or the other bests to known you at that time.

Due to the effort, sincerity, courage and trust worthiness you showed
during the course of the transaction, I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $250,000.00. I have left an international certified bank draft for you, worth about $250,000.00 cashable anywhere in
the world.

My dear friend I will like you to contact my Pastor.Godwin FRANK so
that he will send the draft to you without any delay.

At the moment, I 'm very busy here in Paraguay South American, trying to invest my money with the help of the Good Samaritan who hears my cry and assistant in the release of my funds with the bank.

Please I will like you to accept this
token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart.

CONTACT: Pastor.Godwin FRANK
ADDRESS: Akpakpa, Cotonou-Republic Du Benin
EMAIL: pastor.gfran01@gmail.com
Number;+229 61238509}

Therefore, you should send him your full Name, telephone number and
contact address for his reference and make further arrangement with him on how you want to receive your check.

Thanks you in anticipation for your past efforts and God bless you.

Best Regards
Mrs.Helen Michael.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam