419 scam: Shirlene Nibbs <bhc.consultantdesk@hotmail.com> FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

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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:

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:
- "western union" (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. )
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "you are advice to " (this email uses bad English)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- barr.geraldclinton@hotmail.fr (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: Shirlene Nibbs <bhc.consultantdesk@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: barr.geraldclinton@hotmail.fr
Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 20:46:23 +0530 (IST)
Subject: FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

FROM THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION,
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992,
Zakari Maillart Street
Cadastral Zone AO,
Central Business District.

The BRITISH High Commission in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana and
Bokinafaso received a report of scam against you and other British/US citizens
and Malaysia,Etc.whom the country of Nigeria/Benin,Bokinafaso And Ghana have
compensated you due to meeting held with Four countries Government and the world
high commissions against fraud activities by the Four country Citizens.

Your name was among those that scammed as listed by the West Africa
Financial Intelligent Unit (WAFIU). Compensation has been issued out in
Certified ATM MASTER CARD worth of $950.000.00 USD to all the affected victims
and has been already in distribution to all the bearers. Your ATM CARD was among
those that were reported undelivered as at Monday and we wish to advise you to
see to the instructions of the Committee to make sure you receive your ATM CARD
immediately for your dispatch.

We advise that you do the needful to
make sure the WAFIU dispatches your compensation before Saturday. You are
assured of the safety of your ATM CARD and availability and be advised that you
should stop further contacts with all the fake people and fake security
companies And and also Western Union scammers who is collaboration scammed you.

So you are advice to contact the lawyer in charges of this ATM MASTER
CARD and his name is Barrister Jerald Clinton and make sure you contact him
immediately,
Name: Barrister Gerald Clinton. Contact E-mail Address
(barr.geraldclinton@hotmail.fr)

CHAMBER NUMBER.2103VC.

Contact him with your full delivery
information regarding of the ATM CARD to be delivered to you by the Post/Mail
service and also any beneficiary will be responsible for Post/Mail fees so as to
avoid any scam and the fees is just only $89.00usd and you will receive your ATM
CARD from British High Commission because as soon as you contact the lawyer in
charges of your ATM CARD he will alert the united state bureau and inconjuction
with your state police for the ATM CARD to be Posted/Mailed to you without any
restriction and problem when the ATM CARD get to you in your location area.

WAFIU further told us that the use of Nigeria Couriers and the Benin
was abolished due to interception activities noticed in the above mentioned
courier services in Benin, Nigeria and Ghana and thereby have made a concrete
arrangement with the Post Office Benin Republic for a safe delivery to your
door-step once the beneficiary meets up the demand of the conveyance.

Here is the information where to send the post charges of US$89.00
today.

Receivers Name:==== Ameke
C.Micheal
CountryBenin=======Republic
City:===============
Cotonou
Test Question:=======AA
Answer:
===========BB
Amount:===========$89.00usd
MTCN ============?
Sender's
Name=========?

We are here to fight and against crimes and fraudulent
acts.

Yours in Service, Shirlene Nibbs
Director General of Tourism.
CONSULT DEPARTMENT OF BRITISH
HIGH COMMISSIONS.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam