419 scam: "Mr.Peter John" <peterjjohn001@gmail.com> Hello

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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:

The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- ",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)
- "utmost confidentiality" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
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.
- alabijassocites@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Peter John" <peterjjohn001@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 15:05:44 +0100
Subject: Hello

My name is Mrs.Stella Adams, I am a dying woman who has decided to
donate what I have to you and to support your humanitarian activities
and to help the poor and the needy in Your society.

I am 55 years old and I was diagnosed for cancer of the lung for about
4years ago, immediately after the death of my husband, who has left me
everything he worked for and because the doctors told me I will not
live longer than some weeks because of my health, I decided to WILL /
donate the sum of USD$6,500,000.00 (Six Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars) to you for the good work of humanity, and also to help the
motherless and less privilege and also for the assistance of the
widows. I wish you all the best and may the good Lord bless you
abundantly, and please use the funds well and always extend the good
work to others. Please I want you to promise me that you will use 30%
to support your humanitarian activities and to help the poor and the
needy in your society.

I will appreciate your utmost confidentiality in this matter until the
task is accomplished as I don't want anything that will jeopardize my
last wish. Contact my lawyer Barrister J. Alabi with this specified
email:( alabijassocites@gmail.com ) and tell him that I have WILLED
(USD$6,500,000.00) to you and I have also notified him. God has
directed me to do this.

Thanks and God bless.

Mrs.Stella Adams

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam