419 scam: "PHILLIPS POWELL JR"<info@rediffmail.com> RE: I am Diagnosed With Esophageal Cancer

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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:
- "million pounds" (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)
This email message is a "dying merchant" scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "PHILLIPS POWELL JR" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <phillipspowelljr@rediffmail.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 10:56:44 +0100
Subject: RE: I am Diagnosed With Esophageal Cancer

Dear Sir/Ma,

As you read this I do not want you to feel sorry for me because I believe every one will die someday, my name is Phillips Powell, a merchant in London. I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and have been in the hospital for a very long time after all forms of medical treatment with no success, now I have just few weeks to live according to the medical experts. I have not particularly lived my life well as I never really cared for anyone (not even myself) but my business and wealth only. Though am rich but not generous, I was hostile to people and only focused on my business as that was the only thing I cared for, but now I regret all this because I just find out there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world. I have willed and shared most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family and a charity organization in England, I want God to be merciful to me and save my soul.

I got your contact on my personal computer after praying this morning and have decided to give out my last money for a humanitarian work, as I will not know what is going to happen to it if I die in few coming weeks according to the medical experts... My dear I do not want you to feel sorry for me but pray for my soul, I want this to be my last good deeds on earth before Gods call. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money to charity organizations but they refused and kept the money to themselves and for that I do not trust them anymore as they seem not to be ok with all I have left for them. I want to give you this 4.5 Million Pounds (?4,500,000.00 GBP), you will have to withdraw the money on my behalf and distribute some amount to the poor or charity organizations in your country and use the rest for your own personal
Welfare and always pray for my soul. I will send you my picture as soon as I hear back from you.

Reply as soon as possible and call me if you can, so I will hear your voice, I will send you my picture and other information you will need.

My regards and love to you and your family.

Phillips Powell Jr.

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam