419 scam: "Dr Alex Jonathan Bruno"<jonathankleb@yahoo.com> REPLY URGENTLY FOR DETAILS

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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:

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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "million united states dollars" (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)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "lome togo" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr Alex Jonathan Bruno" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <andersonkerry55@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2017 02:33:10 -0000
Subject: REPLY URGENTLY FOR DETAILS

INTER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION
GROUP AGAINST MONEY
LAUNDERING IN WEST AFRICA
(GIABA)
LOME TOGO

Att: Beneficiary,

Our File Ref No: CCHS/97531/HS-CBN-00X201/17

We have officially approved 50 million United States dollars being part payment of your Overdue Inheritance/Contract entitlements programmed to be paid to you, following series of documents tendered by your Representative Mr. David L. Nielsen, and your Attorney Barrister John Swatz, of J. Swatz & Associates.
They have presented a "Power of Attorney" duly signed by you in which was clearly stated that due to certain prevailing circumstances beyond your control, you could not finalize the payment process yourself, thus appointing Mr. D.L. Nielsen to act on your behalf. All payment documents have been forwarded to our appointed bank to pay the said amount to them.

Therefore, we need to confirm from you if the said Man and Attorney are your True Representatives, before we proceed for final order payment. Find below the account information they have presented for the transfer on your favor;
A/C Name: Blue Bell Realty, Inc.,
Bank: JP Morgan Chase Bank,
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza,
New York , NY.10081
Bank Routing #:021000021
A/C #:227863934766

We look forward to your swift response.

BRIAN ANDERSON
Deputy Director General

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam