419 scam: THOMAS BRYAN <webcentermet@att.net> Attention: 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:

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:
- "affidavit of claim" (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. )
- ",500,000" (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)
- "affidavit " (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- +447024082728 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: THOMAS BRYAN <webcentermet@att.net>
Reply-To: barclays.pay_unit@live.com
Date: Sun, 16 May 2010 19:31:49 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Attention: Beneficiary,

INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC.

1 Churchill Place,

E14 5HP London,

United Kingdom.

Attention: Beneficiary,

REF:- INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH YOUR OVERDUE PAYMENT.

This is the second time and the last time we will be notifying all the people involve about this said fund.

After due vetting and evaluation of your contract/ Inheritance file which the Ministry Of Finance Of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Forwarded and contracted with us to see to the immediate release of your overdue payment of ($30,500,000) thirty million five hundred thousand USD, from their Offshore Account with us. We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard times by paying alot of charges to see to the release of your overdue payment , which has been delayed due to the handwork of some miscreant elements from Nigeria.We advise that you stop further communication with any correspondence from Nigeria.Your representatives in Nigeria will tell you to still go ahead with them. If you do that, it is at your own risk.

The only thing required from you is to obtain an Irrevocable Affidavit of Claim from the British Justice Department before transfer approval from United Kingdom government could be granted.

We will help you to see that you obtain the Affidavit so that our bank will effect immediate transfer of your fund into your designated bank account. Should you follow up our directives, your fund will reflect in your account within five Bank working days from the day you obtain this Affidavit. Do not go through anybody again but through this Bank if you really want your fund.

Finally, you are advised to forward to this bank your receiving Account where you want this fund to be remitted in your favour.

Yours In Service,

Mr. Thomas Bryan

Head, Private Banking Section.

Barclays Bank Plc. London.

Tel:+44-702-408-2728.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam