419 scam: Lia Dowling <gulbahodour@googlemail.com> hi

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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:
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million united state 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)
- "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "remain blessed" (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- liadowling@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Lia Dowling <gulbahodour@googlemail.com>
Reply-To: liadowling@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 10:51:06 +0100
Subject: hi

Hello my beloved one.

I greet you with the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is true that this
letter may come to you as a surprise. However, I humbly ask you to give me
your attention and hear me well. My name is Mrs. Lia Dowling from
Australia. I am married to Dr.Frank Dowling, who worked with our Embassy in
Togo (Togo) for 8years before he died. We have been married for 9 years
without a child before he died after a short illness. After his death I
decided not to remarry because of my religious beliefs.

When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of U.S. $ 10 million
(ten million United State
Dollars) in a bank in Togo. Currently, this money is still in the custody
of a bank in Togo. Recently, my doctor told me that I would not last for
the next four months due to illness of cancer. Having known my condition I
decided to donate this money to the church, organization or good person
that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct here I want to
use this money to churches,charities, orphanages, widows and other people
that are in it needs.

I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit this
money. Moreover, my husband relatives are not close to me since I get
cancer problem, and it was their desire to see me dead in order to inherit
his wealth since we have no children. These people are not worthy of this
inheritance. That is why I am taking this decision I do not need any
telephone communication in this regard because of my ill health. As soon as
I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the bank where the
money is deposited.

I will also issue a power of attorney to the bank that will prove you the
present beneficiary of this money. I also want you to always put me in
prayer any delay in your reply may give me room to look for another good
person for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I stated above.
Hoping to get an answer as soon as possible. Here contact me through my
private box. (liadowling@yahoo.com)
Thanks and remain blessed.
Your sister in the Lord,
Lia Dowling ...

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