419 scam: Ben Bruno <smtpfox-mxl1d@clearcondicionado.com.br> Hello Fellow Beneficiary,

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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:
- "western union" (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 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 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- richardpeterreality@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Ben Bruno <smtpfox-mxl1d@clearcondicionado.com.br>
Reply-To: richardpeterreality@gmail.com
Date: Tue, 07 Dec 2021 15:12:55 -0300
Subject: Hello Fellow Beneficiary,

--
Hello Fellow Beneficiary,

My name is Ben Bruno, a citizen of USA, I have been trying to claim my
fund valued three million, four hundred thousand United States dollars
($3,700.000) from Nigeria Government since 2009/10 without progress, the
fraudsters keep on asking me to send money by various means for one
reason or the other which made me lost over $157,000, all the document
they sent to me was fake. I decided to travel to Nigeria with some vital
information. I have from a friend who claimed his fund valued over $5M
with the assistance of one Mr. Richard Peter, Financial Controller,
Western Union, whom i can testify is a very good and sincere person. At
first I was not interested in making any move, but due to the confidence
I had in my friend, I decided to take the bold step.

I opened communication with Mr. Richard Peter, who so much assisted me,
I spent only 4 working days and claimed my fund in full payment into my
bank accounts in USA and Europe. I only spent $260 only for legal
documents as instructed by him. I also returned back home with my
ORIGINAL Documents as proof of the ownership.

In the process, I saw your name on a file next to my own, and I quickly
copied your email address, I pray this email notification gets to you
safe, your fund is ready to be released also. I just decided to inform
you because I know that you must have been victimized by the fraudsters
in Nigeria or else who claims to be top government officials in charge
of your payment. The only solution is to stop all communication with
anybody and contact:

Mr. Richard Peter,
Financial Controller,
Western Union,
Email: richardpeterreality@gmail.com

Contact her to enable you to reclaim your fund, your presence may not be
needed in Nigeria, you can receive your fund without visiting Nigeria or
Africa, she is a very good and sincere person.

Sincerely,
Ben Bruno,
Washington USA.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam