419 scam: "Accountant Peter Collins"<account@weinafashion.com> IMPORTANT INFORMATION BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON

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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.

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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:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "please indicate your willingness" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "necessary legal documents" (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. )
- "million 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)
- "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)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
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.
- petercollins990@tiscali.it (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Accountant Peter Collins" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <petercollins990@click21.com.br>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 08:27:44 +0100
Subject: IMPORTANT INFORMATION BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON

Dear Sir/Madam

I am sure that the receipt of this mail will be of utmost blessing to you .However sorry to marvel you a bit and take some of your time in going through this unpredicted letter of entreaty for your for bearing and facilitation.

I am an accountant with BARCLAYS BANK PLC LONDON. My name is Mr.Peter Collins a personal Account to late Engineer. Andrew Wilson , a National of your country, who was a contractor with the DEPARTMENT OF EXXON MOBILE OIL LONDON. Herein after shall be referred to as my client, whose life and that of his entire family was cut short in a ghastly motor accident 2008 on their way back from vacation from a country side in Liverpool in the United Kingdom on the 30th of JANUARY 2008. Since then I have made several inquiries to your embassy to locate any of my clients extended/Distance Relatives but unsuccessful attempts so I decided to search through, with his genealogical names in other to locate any member of his lineage, hence I contacted you.

I have contacted you to facilitate in the fund transfer of total valued at USD$17.5 million (Seven million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars) which is equivalent to ( 8.5 British Pounds) that was deposited in Barclay's Bank Plc London by my late client, before it gets confiscated or declared nonfunctional by the Banker.

The bank has authorized me with official observations to provide the next of kin within the next fifteen official working days since i am his personal accountant or they will confiscate the account and declear it nonserviceable because I have been unable to make this relationship linkage contact, I wish to seek your carte blanche to present you as the next of kin to the deceased since you have the ditto pedigree's names, so that proceeds of this account valued at ($17.5 Million US Dollars) can be paid to you and then you and I can share the money 55% to me and 40% to you, While 5% for unforeseen bottle necks we might incure in this transaction. An attorney will be contacted to help us revalidate and notarize all the necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make in accordance with the British Government.

Please indicate your willingness by sending the below information for more clarification and easy communication.

Your Full name:
Contact address:
Tel and fax numbers:
Marital Status:
Date Of Birth:
Sex:
Occupation:

All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through.I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you and I from any breach of the law.

NOTE: For security reason please reply to this email address: petercollins990@tiscali.it

Best regards,

Mr. Peter Collins.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam