How to spot scams like "Help My Daughter" email scam

What kind of email is "Help My Daughter"?

We have examined this email and determined that it is a scam. Scammers behind this email aim to trick recipients into believing they will receive a certain amount of money for helping to take care of a daughter of a woman diagnosed with cancer. Scammers who have written this email only intend to steal money and (or) information.

More about the "Help My Daughter" scam email

Scammers behind this scam pretend to be Gladys Martin, a widow diagnosed with cancer who only has two months to live. They also claim that the woman has a 15-year-old daughter named Stephanie. Their goal is to trick recipients into believing they will receive thirty percent of 5 million dollars as compensation for helping to raise Gladys's daughter.

Typically, fraudsters use such scam emails to trick recipients into sending money (e.g., paying "administration" or other fees) and (or) providing personal information like credit card details, ID card information, social security numbers, etc.

People who fall for such scams never receive any money. They lose money, become victims of identity theft, or encounter other issues. Thus, scammers behind this email should not be provided with any information, and no money should be transferred to them.

Similar scam emails in general

"Unsuccessful Cash Box Delivery Email Scam", "Abandoned Funds Email Scam" and "Real Estate Investment Email Scam" are other scams where scammers aim to extract money and (or) personal information from unsuspecting recipients. Usually, these emails are disguised as letters from real people or companies, organizations, or other entities.

It is important to mention that crooks can also use email to trick recipients into infecting their computers with malware.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cybercriminals who use email to distribute malware send malicious files (attachments) or links. Their goal is to trick recipients into downloading and executing malware. Users infect computers by opening malicious files.

Not all files infect computers immediately after opening them. For instance, malicious MS Office documents do not infect computers until macros commands are enabled. Opening archives (like ZIP and RAR) is also harmless until their contents are executed.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Do not open link and files presented in emails without being sure it is safe. Double-check emails containing files (attachments) and website links. Especially when emails are irrelevant and sent from unknown addresses.

Download software from official pages and stores only. Do not trust advertisements and links on questionable web pages. Keep the operating system and installed programs updated. Use reputed antivirus software.

If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Help My Daughter" email letter:

Subject: hi dear

Hello, I am Gladys Martin, from USA, I am a widow, currently living with my only daughter Stephanie, she is 15, I am writing to ask for your help to please accept my daughter and raise her, I have no one to help  take care of her because I was recently diagnosed with cancer, and I only have two months to live  according to my doctor. We have  the sum of Five  million dollars $5M inside a box in a security company in Dubai UAE,  that we inherited from my late husband. We are willing to transfer this  money to you while you help my daughter to come to your country to continue her education and you invest the money for her in a good and lucrative business in your country,  please help us. We are willing to offer you 30% of the total money as compensation for your help. reply me on my email address for more details  ( gladys.martin355@gmail.com)

Another example of a scam email asking to help the daughter:

Text presented within:

Subject: Dear good friend

 

The Russia’s Ukraine Invasion

I apologize if the content of my email is contrary to your moral ethics but I find it pleasurable to offer you my partnership in
business.

I am Captain Roses Jukru Robinson, an officer in the US Army, presently serving in the Military with the 82nd Airborne Division Peace KeepingForce here in Ukraine and the Russian war we discovered.

This Woman Mrs. Monica Daniels Tkachenko, my husband and two of my children are killed by the Russian military who invaded my country,
and I am presently in the hospital as a result of the injury I sustained from a bomb that blasted in our home that left my husband
and two children dead.

My husband was the CEO of Bellaire Scotland Ltd. I have a surviving daughter in Poland and her name is Zlata. I have a severe health issue
and the doctors said I may not survive the injury. My husband has a deposit of 6.800.000 US. Please I need your help in assisting me with
the safe keeping of (SIx Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars) . I want you to take her from the refugee camp in Poland and for you to be
her new father / Guardian and guide her to grow as the beautiful girl she is. You will put my Zlata into a good school in your country.

You will invest 50% of the money into a good business and use the benefits to train my daughter until she grows. You will put 30% of the
whole fund in a fixed deposit in your bank on behalf of my Zlata so that the money will be accessible to Zlata when she reaches 20 years.
You will take the remaining 20% for yourself and family. I hope you can be trusted? If you can be trusted, I will explain further when I
get a response from you for further clarification. Nevertheless,

please ensure to reply via my private E-mail: rosesjukru@gmail.com

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation,

Best Regards,

Captain Roses J. Robinson
U.S ARMY

Another example of an email from "Help My Daughter" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: Vui lòng đọc kỹ những điều sau đây.

 

Hello,
I'm writing to ask for your humanitarian help on behalf of my daughter, Vane Demire. My name is Mr Demire Artem, and I am in a desperate condition as a result of the crisis in my country. The Russian troops invaded us, and I lost my wife in the incident, leaving me with my only child. Previously, I was able to liquidate my properties and earn the sum of 12,800,000.00 Euros. consequentially , I was forced to join the Ukrainian army in order to self-guide my country. In the meantime, my daughter had fled to a refugee camp in Hungary.
My main concern is that my daughter not grow up as an orphan. As a result, I politely request that you remove my daughter from the refugee camp and  become her guide as I am uncertain of my safety as we are surrounded by the Russian military with sophisticated weapons. my wish is that you would register her in a renowned school in your nation.
To protect my daughter's future, I recommend investing 60% of the assets in a viable business endeavor, with the earnings going towards her upbringing and schooling. Furthermore, I recommend putting 30% of the total cash into a fixed deposit account at your bank, which my daughter will be able to access once she reaches the age of 18.
As a token of appreciation for your assistance, you may retain 10% of the funds for yourself and your family.
Therefore, I place my trust in you to provide her with the care and support necessary. I eagerly await your response.

Another example of an email from "Help My Daughter" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: hi dear

Hello dear,
May the peace of the Lord be with you. I am Mrs. Lydia Andrusenko from
Ukraine, and currently in a private hospital with my only surviving daughter who is only 16 years. I have been diagnosed with Esophageal cancer and recently the Doctors told me that I have a very short time to  live due to my health problems.
I am writing to ask for your help, to please adopt my daughter and raise her up in your country... I have no one to help me take care of her because of my cancer Sickness , and I only have less than 2 months to live according to my doctor. I wish she continues her education, while her inheritance is invested on her behalf.

NOTICE!!! I have some funds ($5,000,000 USD) which I inherited from my late husband who was shot multiple times by the brutality of Russian Soldiers during
the capture of Mariupol Azovastal Steel Plant last year. Until his death, my husband was one of the Controllers at the Mariupol Azovastal Steel Plant, in the southern port of Mariupol Ukraine before the
Russian invasion. I am willing to Authorize the transfer of my inherited funds to your care. This money was deposited abroad by my husband before the Russian invasion. I sincerely want to confide in you since my doctor just confirmed that I am going to die soon from this brutal sickness. Thanks for your kindness. I will provide you with
more details upon your urgent response on my email address (mrslydiaandrusenko@gmail.com)

God bless you.
Mrs. Lydia Andrusenko

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Such letters are usually sent to many people at the same time. They are not personal.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

Change all passwords immediately if you have provided any login information (e.g., usernames and passwords). If you have sent credit card details, ID card information, social security numbers, or similar details, contact the corresponding authorities as soon as possible.

I have downloaded and opened a malicious file attached to an email, is my computer infected?

If you have opened an executable file, your computer is probably infected. In other cases, users avoid computer infections if they open malicious files without performing additional actions (e.g., enabling macros commands in malicious MS Office documents).

I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in such email, can I get my money back?

Unfortunately, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible.

I have read the email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, emails cannot infect computers. Thus, your computer is not infected.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware. High-end malware usually hides deep in the system. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to scan infected computers using a full scan.