419 scam: "MR. JOHN BRUCE"<www.info-postmail.org@o2.pl> Commonwealth Bank

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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:
- "into your nominated bank account" (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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "MR. JOHN BRUCE" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <myofficefiles2001@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 21:43:42 -0000
Subject: Commonwealth Bank

Commonwealth Bank

Attn:

We write to confirm an application of claims filed on your behalf by office of Financial Action Task Force (FATF). We have registered your intent to claim your long overdue deposit entitlement valued at US$15, 000, 000.00 (Fifteen Million, United States Dollars Only ) in our suspense account, following the order from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

We have been given the mandate / instruction to effect the release of the above mentioned via our Online Banking System through which means the deposited funds will be transferred into your nominated bank account. We wish to inform you that your payment file has been submitted to this office and is being looked into and processed for the prompt remittance of your deposited entitlement without further delay.

You will be dully communicated with the online account log on details as soon as the verification / processing exercise is concluded shortly.

Be strongly advised therefore to reconfirm the following:

1 Your full names and address
2. Names of your next of kin
3. Your telephone and fax numbers for ease of communication.
4 Your profession
5. Copy of either your passport / or drivers license will be needed also for the purpose of proper identification and records.

Thanks for your understanding and c-operation while we look forward to hearing from you soonest.

Be guided accordingly, please.

Yours In Service,
Mr. John Bruce.

-- Note: The information in this message and in any attachments, contains confidential information and is intended solely for the attention and use of the names addressee(s). It must not be disclosed to any person(s) without authorisation. If you are not the intended recipient, or a person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are not authorised to, and must not, disclose, copy, distribute. or retain this message or any part of it.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam