419 scam: "British High Commission" <bhighc@w.cn> .World High Commissioners against Fraud Activities

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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:
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
- "bhigh@w.cn" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "British High Commission" <bhighc@w.cn> (may be fake)
Reply-To: bhigh@w.cn
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:43:27 -0500 (ECT)
Subject: .World High Commissioners against Fraud Activities

British High Commission
Metro Plaza, Plot 991/992
Zakari Maimalari Street
Cadastral Zone A O,
Central Business District,
E-MAIL: bhigh@w.cn

Attn Beneficiary;

The British High Commission in Benin Republic, Nigeria, Ghana and
Burkina-Faso received a report of scam against you and others British, US
and Malaysia/Asians citizens, Etc. Whom the countries of Nigeria/Benin
Republic, Burkina-Faso and Ghana have recompensated you due to meeting
held with this Four Countries Government and the World High Commissioners
against Fraud Activities by the Four Countries Citizens.

Your name was among those that scammed as listed by the West African
Financial Intelligent Unit (WAFIU). A recompensation has been issued out
in Certified Bank Draft and ATM Debit Card of $750.000.00 to all the
affected victims and has been already in distribution to all the bearers.
Your draft was among those that was reported undelivered as at on Friday
and we wish to advise you to see to the instructions of the Committee to
make sure you receives your draft immediately for your depositing into
your account.

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

We advise that you do the needful to make sure the WAFIU dispatches your
recompensation fund on or before Friday. You are assured of the safety of
your draft and availability and be advised that you should stop further
contacts with all the fake lawyers and security companies, self diplomatic
scammers Bank who are in collaboration scammed you. Email me at the
address given to you above immediately for more details.

Yours in Service,
Mr. David Mike CONSULER,
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONS.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam