419 scam: "Michael Edwards" <info@barclaysinsurance.com> ATTENTION

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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:
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Michael Edwards" <info@barclaysinsurance.com>
Reply-To: michaeledwards.002@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:57:37 -0500 (EST)
Subject: ATTENTION

This is to notify you again that you were listed as a beneficiary to the
total sum of Seven million four hundred thousand British pounds in the
codicil and last testament of the deceased. (Name now withheld for
confidential reasons).

You are qualified to be listed as a sole beneficiary and therefore can
present you as the beneficiary to the inheritance.

We therefore reckoned that you can receive these funds as you are
qualified by your surname identity.

Kindly forward to us your letter of acceptance; your current telephone and
fax numbers and a forwarding address to enable us file necessary documents
at our high court probate division for the release of this sum of money to
you as the sole beneficiary.

Yours Faithfully,
Personal Manager.
Barclays Bank

This message is intended for a particular addressee only and may contain
business or company secrets. If you have received this email in error,
please contact the sender and delete the message immediately. Any use of
this email, including saving, publishing, copying, replication or
forwarding of the message or the contents is not permitted.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam