419 scam: "BARCLAYS BANK PLC"<barclays_accreditation@rediff.com> PAYMENT NOTIFICATION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT

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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:
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "clearance certificate" (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. )
- "inheritance funds" (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)
- "transfer of your funds" (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)
- "00,000.00" (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)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "barr." (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "chambers" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "accredited attorney" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "offshore account" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "barr.markjefferson_esq@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "barr.markjefferson_esq@live.co.uk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "BARCLAYS BANK PLC" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barr.markjefferson_ESQ@live.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 10:23:47 +0100
Subject: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT

Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place Canary Wharf
London E14 5RB, United Kingdom
http://www.barclays.co.uk

Dear Esteemed Beneficiary,

RE: PAYMENT NOTIFICATION TO CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT WITH THE SUM OF £5,800,000.00 POUNDS

We the Management of Barclays Bank London Office wish to congratulate and inform you that after the thorough review of your Inheritance/Contract Funds Transfer release documents in conjunction with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund Assessment Report, your payment file was forwarded to us for immediate transfer of a part-payment £5,800,000.00 to your designated bank account from their offshore account with us.

The only thing required from you is to obtain the Funds Clearance Certificate from the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority (FSA), or the United Kingdom Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to enable us credit your account directly by telegraphic transfer or through any of our corresponding banks and send copies of our bank's telex and funds transfer documents to you and your bankers for confirmation. You are required to obtain the Funds Clearance Certificate from the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA), or the UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) through our Assigned Accredited Attorney Barrister David Smith CHAMBERS (Email: barr.markjefferson_ESQ@live.co.uk) to enable us credit your account with £5,800,000.00 GBP directly by telegraphic transfer to your nominated Bank Account.

Should you follow our directives, your Inheritance funds will be credited and confirmed in your bank account within five (5) banking days from the day you obtain this Funds Clearance Certificate from the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA), or the UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC).

Please Note that without the Funds Clearance Certificate from the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA), or the UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC), your funds will not be release to you, for we work on instruction and you (Beneficiary) must follow and adhere to the DUE PROCESS as to enable us release your funds as approved.

For further details and assistance on this Remittance Notification, you are kindly advice to send your Informations:

Your full Names:
Contact Address:
Profession/occupation:
Telephone/Cell & Fax Numbers:

Immediately to Barr. Mark Jefferson
Email: barr.markjefferson_ESQ@live.co.uk

When that has been done forward to my office a Scanned Copy of the Funds Clearance Certificate and I shall effect the transfer of your funds immediately.

Regards

Mrs.Sarah Smith
Head of International Transfer Dept
Barclays Bank Plc

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam