419 scam: "PHILLIPS POWELL JR." <phillipspowell@yahoo.co.jp> I am Diagnosed With Esophageal Cancer 24/02/12

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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." <phillipspowell@yahoo.co.jp>
Reply-To: phillipspowelljr@gmail.com
Date: Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:43:04 -0000
Subject: I am Diagnosed With Esophageal Cancer 24/02/12

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.

Anti-fraud resources:

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