419 scam: "BRUCE VAN SAUN" <brucee@wmtel.net> Am waiting to hear from you

joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet

Try our spam filter!
Free trial for 30 days

Home

About Us

Spam

419/Nigeria

Fraud

Contact

"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:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand great british 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)
- "here in united kingdom" (this email uses bad English)
- "there is no risk involved" (almost true for the criminal trying to scam you - arrests of online criminals are rare)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "BRUCE VAN SAUN" <brucee@wmtel.net>
Reply-To: brsaun.n@admin.in.th
Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2014 05:58:05 -0600
Subject: Am waiting to hear from you

Dear Friend,

What am about to tell could be one thing that will change our lives for ever
or you could treat it as if you are one of those pessimistic people out there
driven by other people talk, who sees everything as scam or fake because they
are afraid and confused of not knowing which is the wright thing or does not
understand at all. However, if your mind did not carry it please remain in
your comfort zone. I see nothing wrong with trying to achieve some certain
things in life or you could remain fearful, it is your life my friend.

I am Mr. Bruce Van Saun, the group finance director of Royal Bank of
Scotland here in United Kingdom. There is this immigrant: Mr. Andreas
schranner, a property magnate who lived in London and happens to be one of
our very good client. He made a deposit of fund valued at £9,500,000.00 (Nine
Million Five Hundred Thousand Great British Pounds sterling) with our bank.
Unfortunately, on the 25th of July 2000, Mr. Andreas schranner, his wife
Maria, their daughter Andréa eich, her husband Christian, and their children
Katharine and Maximilian all died in the air craft (France concord plane
crash) bound for New York in their plan for a world cruise, do check this
link to see the highlight of what I am explaining '(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/
hi/world/europe/859479.stm).

I can say to you that the sum of £9,500,000.00 (Nine Million Five Hundred
Thousand Great British Pounds sterling) has been floating as unclaimed since
the year 2000 in my bank as all efforts to get across the relatives of our
client who deposited the money has hit the stones. I have decided to seek
your assistance to have you stand as his next of kin so that the said fund
would be released in your name as the next of kin and paid into your account.
We shall share this fund based on a clear and legitimate agreement with you
and for the role you are going to play in this transaction. Be informed that
there is no risk involved as all necessary legal documents which will be used
to back you up as the legal beneficiary and next of kin of my late client
will be procured by my lawyer.
I await your response for further details. Thanks for your understanding and
do have a nice day.
Sincerely,

Mr. Bruce Van Saun.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam