419 scam: "Rev JOHN Paul" <paul.john906@gmail.com> RE: From Rev JOHN Paul

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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. )
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying merchant" 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.
- john.paul906@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Rev JOHN Paul" <paul.john906@gmail.com>
Reply-To: john.paul906@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 08:49:36 -0400 (AST)
Subject: RE: From Rev JOHN Paul

My Dear,

My name is Rev JOHN Paul, from VANNES-France, I have been diagnosed with
Esophageal Cancer which was discovered very late, due to my laxity in
carrying for my health. It has defiled all forms of medicine, and right
now I have only about a few months to live, according to medical experts.

Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself any
more. I once asked my lawyer and members of my family to close one of my
accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity
organization and to the less privileged in Bulgaria and Pakistan; they
refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them
anymore, as they seem not to be contended with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is the huge cash deposit of
Twelve Million and Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD12.5m) that I have
with a Security Company in United Arab Emirates for safe keeping. I will
want you to help me collect this deposit and disburse it to some charity
organizations and to the less privileged.

Please send me a mail at: (john.paul906@yahoo.com) to indicate if you will
assist me in this disbursement, to enable me forward to you the entire
document which will back you up to claim the funds on my behalf.

Remain blessed.
Rev. JOHN Paul

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam