419 scam: "Barrister. Gerald Clinton," <harleysbike_1@verizon.net> FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION,

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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:
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (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.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +229 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- britishhigh.commision333@azet.sk (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barrister. Gerald Clinton," <harleysbike_1@verizon.net>
Reply-To: britishhigh.commision333@azet.sk
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:27:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION,

#yiv1054901892 #yiv2022666173 #yiv1923768633 #yiv1766916658 #yiv117477159 #yiv175757063 #yiv891851401 #yiv1556249924 P {
MARGIN:0px;}
#yiv1054901892 #yiv2022666173 #yiv1923768633 #yiv1766916658 #yiv117477159 #yiv175757063 #yiv891851401 #yiv1556249924 UL {
MARGIN-TOP:5px;MARGIN-BOTTOM:5px;}
#yiv1054901892 #yiv2022666173 #yiv1923768633 #yiv1766916658 #yiv117477159 #yiv175757063 #yiv891851401 #yiv1556249924 OL {
MARGIN-TOP:5px;MARGIN-BOTTOM:5px;}

FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION,

Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992,

Zakari Maillart Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District.

Attention My Dear Frind,

The BRITISH High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic,
Ghana and Bokinafaso received a report of scam against you and other British/US
citizens and Malaysia,Etc.whom the country of Nigeria/Benin,Bokinafaso And Ghana
have compensated you due to meeting held with Four countries Government and the
world high commissions against fraud activities by the Four country
Citizens.

Your name was among those that scammed as listed by the
West Africa Financial Intelligent Unit (WAFIU). Compensation has been issued out
in Certified ATM MASTER CARD worth of $950.000.00 USD to all the affected
victims and has been already in distribution to all the bearers. Your ATM CARD
was among those that were reported undelivered as at Monday and we wish to
advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive
your ATM CARD immediately for your dispatch.
We advise that you do the needful to make sure the WAFIU
dispatches your compensation before Saturday. You are assured of the safety of
your ATM CARD and availability and be advised that you should stop further
contacts with all the fake people and fake security companies, scammers Bank who
is collaboration scammed you.

So you are advice to contact the lawyer in charges of this
ATM MASTER CARD and his name is Barrister Jerald Clinton and make sure you
contact him immediately for more details before this week
end.

Name: Barrister Jerald Clinton.
Contact E-mail Address (britishhigh.commision333@azet.sk)
Home Telephone: +229_99179986
Office Telephone +229_98582119
CHAMBER NUMBER.2103VC.

Contact him with your full delivery information regarding
of the ATM CARD to be delivered to you by the Post/Mail service and also any
beneficiary will be responsible for Post/Mail fees so as to avoid any scam and
the fees is just only $80.00usd and you will receive your ATM CARD from British
High Commission because as soon as you contact the lawyer in charges of your ATM
CARD he will alert the united state bureau and inconjuction with your state
police for the ATM CARD to be Posted/Mailed to you without any restriction and
problem when the
ATM CARD get to you in your location area.

WAFIU further told us that the use of Nigeria Couriers and
the Benin was abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above
mentioned courier services in Benin, Nigeria and Ghana and thereby have made a
concrete arrangement with the Post Office Benin Republic for a safe delivery to
your door-step once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the
conveyance.

Here is the information where to send the post charges of
US$80.00 today.

Receivers
Name:===.

Nwabunne
Simeon

Country/City:===Benin
Republic/Cotonou
Test
Question =====AA
Answer:
=====BB
Amount:====$80.00usd

MTCN =======?

We are here to fight and against crimes and fraudulent
acts.

Yours in Service,
Barrister. Gerald Clinton,
CONSULT DEPARTMENT OF BRITISH HIGH
COMMISSIONS.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam