419 scam: Paul Donofrio <bullengr90@gmail.com> OFFICIAL MESSAGE FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA

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:
- "from the desk of" (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)
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: Paul Donofrio <bullengr90@gmail.com>
Reply-To: paulmdonofrio47@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:48:38 +0100
Subject: OFFICIAL MESSAGE FROM THE BANK OF AMERICA

BANK OF AMERICA, NEW YORK.
FROM THE DESK OF MR. PAUL M. DONOFRIO
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BANK OF AMERICA.

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Mr. Paul M. Donofrio, Chief Financial Officer Bank of America. We
sincerely apologize for our delay in the release of your approved
Covid-19 Relief Fund of $2.7 million United States Dollars as approved
by the US Treasury Department In collaboration with World Health
Organization (WHO).

I humbly wish to inform you that the Department of Credit & Telex
control of the BANK OF AMERICA has received an instruction order to
effect the wire transfer of your approved Covid-19 Relief Fund of $2.7
Million USD to you immediately.

You are advised to reconfirm the below required information to us
immediately to enable us to proceed with the transfer arrangement as
soon as possible.

Contacts address

Office Tel, Cell and Fax
Occupation, Age and Marital Status

Bank Details such as;
Bank name
Bank Address
Account Name
Account Number
Swift Code
Copy of your passport or driver's license.

Note: You shall receive your approved payment of $2.7 Million in 48
hours to the confirmation of the above requested information from you.

Thank you and God bless you

Yours faithfully,

For And On Behalf Of
Bank of America Corporation.

Mr. Paul M. Donofrio,
Chief Financial Officer
Bank of America.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam