419 scam: " Barclays Bank PLC"<info@barclaysplc.com> Did you authorize Mr. Louis Henrik?

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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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to 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)
- "hundred thousand us 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)
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
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.
- +447045735660 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: " Barclays Bank PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <chrislucas.barclays@live.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:05:41 -0800
Subject: Did you authorize Mr. Louis Henrik?

>From The Desk of MR. CHRIS LUCAS
FOREIGN PAYMENT MANAGER
BARCLAYS BANK
UNITED KINGDOM
PHONE: +44 704 573 5660-3
Hotline: +44 704 570 4813
FAX: +44 700 596 3733

Did you authorize Mr. Louis Henrik who presented document of claim
purported to have been signed by you for the release of your
part-payment Beneficiary Inheritance / Winnings settlement of Five
million five hundred thousand US Dollars ($5.5) only, which have been
made and sealed for immediate transfer to you? This is because the Fund
Certificate was credited to you, why this later development of Mr. Louis
Henrik?

Ensure that you do not delay to get back soonest as this calls for
urgent and cogent attention to avoid misappropriation, misconception and
misconstrue in BARCLAYS BANK beneficiary's financial transfer record. If
you did not give any Power of Attorney or Authorization to the said Mr.
Louis Henrik for claim of your fund, please reconfirm immediately to
avoid banking irregularities, as your fund is now ready to be
transferred (based on the urgent instructions from the Committee of
Foreign Contractor Payments Board under the control of the PRIME
MINISTER'S office).
In summary to your fund transfer contact the Barclays Bank International
Remittance Department for your fund release, while taking note to
complete the under listed: Fill the information required while replying
this email.

1) Your Full Name..............................
2) Residential Address............................
3) Direct Cell-Phone/Mobile ...............
4) Age and marital........................
5) Company Name and Position if any ...........
6. Occupation. ....................................
If you did not authorized him to collect your fund or that you do not
even know Him , get back to us with the above info to release your fund.

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to
you through any approved method you desire. Certified Bank Draft/cash
payment or Wired Transfer to your nominated bank account are the two
approved method. You are advice to contact the Foreign Department
immediately. Your contract Ref. No. is BAR/LON/UK/BEN/007.
This fund is in line with the Federal Policy for release of all
outstanding payment beneficiary due for payment as directed by the PRIME
MINISTER, Mr Gordon Brown.

REGARDS
Mr. Chris Lucas
The Executive DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
BARCLAYS BANK, UK.
Foreign Remittance Dept.
Hotline: +44 704 570 4813
FAX: +44 700 596 3733

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam