Scammer uses religion to pull victims

Ruth Jawad from the Solomon Islands would have you believe she and God are working together.

Jawad recently sent the Daily Journal an e-mail and the subject was &#8220Offer from God Almighty.” In fact, Jawad is just another scammer with an increasingly common twist – the &#8220dying Christian who wants to share his/her money with others.”

In this scam, Jawad claims to be married to James Jawad, a former consultant in London’s Kuwait Embassy. James died in 2003 after the couple were married 11 years. They had no children.

Jawad writes, &#8220He died after abrief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I Decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home whichthe Bible is against.”

Next, she dangles the sum of $15.2 million, supposedly deposited with a financial firm in London, and tugs at the heart strings of her intended victim.

&#8220Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not live up to Eight months due to cancer problem.”

This is where &#8220God” comes in. Jawad wants to donate that money to a church, organization or individual who will &#8220propagate the work of God.” The money could be used for orphanages or widows, she continues. Then she reminds the e-mail recipient, &#8220Blessed is the hand that giveth.”

The message goes downhill from there.

&#8220…my husband relatives are not Christians not even good at all because they are the one that killed my husband in order to have all my late husband’s properties,” Jawad writes.

Hhhmmmm…. did they cause the brief illness that killed him in four days?

Jawad also changes her position on the eventual cause of her own demise. &#8220To me alone i know that the doctor is not my God, i believe in God that i will not die in cancer.”

Next, Jawad points out that her health is too poor for her to talk on the telephone. However, as soon as she receives a reply from her intended victim, she will give that person a letter that will prove he or she is the present beneficiary of the fund. She mentions nothing about keeping some of the money herself.

&#8220My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian Mother,” Jawad explains.

Oh, and if the recipient does not respond immediately, she will find someone else to inherit the money, Jawad cautions.

&#8220Any delay in your reply will give me room in searching for another church, organization or good person for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated Therein.” she writes.

The e-mail is a typical scheme that contains the usual red flags: The spelling and grammar are poor, it is sent to no one in particular, and it promises lots of unearned money. People do not hand out large sums of money to perfect strangers with a request that they divvy it up elsewhere. The story is convoluted and is another example of the best choice when one of these stories arrives in your e-mail – delete it immediately.

The Daily Journal has made a commitment to keep readers abreast of scams that hit our area. If someone tries to make you the victim of a scam, call us at 431-2010 and tell us what happened. We will include your story in our scam alert series to prepare others who may find themselves in the same situation.