419 scam: "Peter Joe" <peterjoe4@gmail.com> Hello/Urgent

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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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "confidential business" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "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)
- "very confidential" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "observe 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)
- "lagos" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2348063774310 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- peterjoe454@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Peter Joe" <peterjoe4@gmail.com>
Reply-To: peterjoe454@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 14:05:04 -0400
Subject: Hello/Urgent

Dear Friend,

I am Mr.Peter Joe, Bank Manager of a reputable bank in lagos,abi Province,
and Republic of Nigeria. I have an urgent and very confidential business
proposition for you.On 18th May, 2000,a British Oil Consultant/contractor
with the Nigerian Mining Corporation, (Name deliberately with held) made a
numbered time (Fixed)Deposit for twelve calendar months, valued at US$10.5
Million (Ten Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) in my branch. Upon
maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got
no reply.After a month, we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from
his contract employers, the Nigerian Mining Corporation,that the depositor
died from an automobile accident. On further investigation, I found out
that he died without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his next of
kin was fruitless.I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that the depositor did not declare any kin or relations in all his
official documents, (US$10.5 Million) is still sitting in my Bank and the
interest is being rolled over with the principal sum at the end of each
year. No one will ever come forward to claim it.

According to Laws of Nigeria,at the expiration of 10(Ten) years, the money
will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian Government if nobody applies
to claim the fund.Consequently, my proposal is that I will like you as a
foreigner to stand in as THE NEXT OF KIN to the depositor so that the
fruits of this old man's labor will not get into the hands of some corrupt
government officials. This is simple, I will like you to provide
immediately your full names and address so that the attorney will prepare
the Necessary documents and affidavits that will put you in place as the
next of kin.We shall employ the services of an attorney for drafting and
notarization of the WILL and to obtain the necessary documents and letter
of probate/administration in your favor for the transfer.

A bank account in any part of the world that you will provide will then
facilitate the transfer of this money to you as the beneficiary/next of
kin.The money will be paid into your account for us to share in the ratio
of 65% for me and 35% for you.There is no risk at all as all the paperwork
for this transaction will be done by the attorney and my position as the
Branch Manager guarantees the successful execution of this transaction. If
you are interested, please reply immediately via the private email
address.Upon your response, I shall then provide you with more details and
relevant documents that will help you understand the transaction.

Please send me your confidential telephone and fax numbers for easy
communication. Also,Please observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest
assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us
because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your
country.

Awaiting your urgent reply via my email address.

Regards.

Mr.Peter Joe
Tel: +234-806-377-4310
Email: peterjoe454@gmail.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam