419 scam: "BANK OF ENGLAND"<test@dufour.be> CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

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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:
- "outstanding contractors" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "your payment is being processed" (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)
- "million pounds" (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 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.
- +447024015556 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "BANK OF ENGLAND" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <bankofengland@super.lt>
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2010 14:52:16 +0330
Subject: CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

BANK OF ENGLAND (CENTRAL BANK OF THE UNITED KINGDOM )
Threadneedle St
London EC2R 8AH,United Kingdom
TEL: +44-702-401-5556
FAX : +44 (0)700 602 2073

APPROVAL REF: BOE/IRS/-UK-CBX/021/10

ATTN: Dear Contractor

>From the records of outstanding contractors due for payment with the Federal Government of the UNITED KINGDOM, your name and company was discovered as next on the list of the outstanding contractors who have not received their payments.

If you receive this email,please keep in secure of your payment approval number secretly to your self.

I wish to inform you that your payment is being processed and will be released to you as soon as you respond to this letter. Also note that from my record in my file your outstanding contract payment is £70 Million Pounds ( Seventy Million Pounds ).

Please re-confirm to me if this is in line with what we have in your record and also re-confirm to me the followings:

1) Your full name:
2) Phone, fax and mobile:
3) Company name, position and address:
4) Profession, age and marital status:
5) Scanned copy of int'l passport or ID Copy:

As soon as this information is received, your payment will be made to you through our corresponded bank accros the world by International Telegraphic bank to Bank wire transfer,and also after transfer you bank will confirm the transfer in the next 24hours.

You must call me on my direct number as soon as you receive this letter for a serious discussion with me and also get back to me by replying back.

WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THE DELAY IN TRANSFERRING OF THIS FUND MUST HAVE CAUSED YOU AS A RESULT OF SIGNATURES AND APPROVAL STAMPS FROM THE WORLD BANK.

Regards,

Mr.Mervyn A. King
(Governor - Bank of England)
Direct line: +44-702-401-5556

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam