419 scam: BRUNO FREDO <bruno.fredo1@btinternet.com> BASED ON TRUST

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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:
- "good day friend" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "may come to you as a surprise" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
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.
- fredo_bruno@yahoo.es (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: BRUNO FREDO <bruno.fredo1@btinternet.com>
Reply-To: fredo_bruno@yahoo.es
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 10:28:30 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: BASED ON TRUST

>From The Desk of Dr. Fredo Bruno
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC
48 Haymarket, London , SW1Y 4SE
Email: fredo_bruno@yahoo.es

Good Day Friend,

I know this letter may come to you as a surprise since we have not met before. I got your contact from the world trade bureau. I am Dr. Fredo Bruno, Director of accounts, Royal Bank of Scotland plc. A contractor who is a customer named ENGR. REINIER PRITCHARD, made a deposit valued at USD$5.5 million United States dollars.

Upon maturity, I sent a routine notification to his forwarding address but got no answer. After a month we discovered from his contract employers that the depositor had died. On further investigation, I found out that he died without making a will. However, my proposal is to front you as the next of kin to the deceased Customer of our bank, if this transaction interests you, kindly let me know so I can brief you on how we will execute this deal.
I completely trust you to keep this proposition absolutely confidential and Kindly forward your full names, contact address, telephone and fax numbers where I can reach you easily. I have suggested that we share the funds as follows 50% for me 40% for your effort and 10% for expenses, I look forward to your earliest response through my alternative email Address below: (fredo_bruno@yahoo.es) for security reasons.

Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Fredo Bruno.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam