419 scam: "Mr.Peter Opoku" <r.pet00008@gmail.com> Read and get back to me urgently,

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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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- mr.peteropoku@yahoo.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr.Peter Opoku" <r.pet00008@gmail.com>
Reply-To: mr.peteropoku@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2014 05:21:27 -0400
Subject: Read and get back to me urgently,

*Dear friend,My name is Mr.Peter Opoku , the regional bank manager of
ECOBANK, I have a sensitive and private offer to seek your partnership in
re-profiling some offshore investment funds worth USD$6.5M. As the
regional Auditor General of the bank, it is my duty to send in a financial
report to my head office after three years. I discover that we have made
the above profit for the past years which nobody is aware of.Note;there is
no risks involved in this transaction, it will be bank to bank
transfer,just stand claim as the original depositor of this fund. And I
assure you we would achieve it successfully if you can follow my
instruction and directives.This is a legitimate transaction, You must be
very discrete in the area of confidentiality and transparency in all
communications and monetary discussions that we will be discussing and I
guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that
will protect you from any breach of the law. If we agree on the terms you
will be registered as the true legal depositor and given 40% of the total
funds. Urgently get back to me with your:Your Full NameYour Telephone
NumberYour Current contact addressYour Age/SexYour
Occupation/ProfessionYour NationalityYour passport scan copy/Id Card or
their serial numbers for more details.Best regards,Mr.Peter Opoku,Regional
Auditor GeneralECOBANK-Ghana(mr.peteropoku@yahoo.com
<mr.peteropoku@yahoo.com>)*

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam