419 scam: "BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION" <amc83429@bigpond.net.au> FROM THE DESK OF 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:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "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)
This email message is a fake lottery scam. Consider the following facts about real lotteries:
1. They don't notify winners by email.
2. You can't win without first buying a lottery ticket.
3. They don't randomly select email addresses to award prizes to.
4. They don't use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate with you.
5. They don't tell you to call a mobile phone number.
6. They don't tell you to keep your winnings secret.
7. They will never ask a winner to pay any fees to receive a prize!
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.
- +447017430987 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)
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.
- royalbnkscotlnd@hotmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION" <amc83429@bigpond.net.au>
Reply-To: <royalbnkscotlnd@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 28 May 2012 13:10:06 +0530
Subject: FROM THE DESK OF BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION!!!

FROM THE DESK OF BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
FOREIGN SECRETARY OUTLINE,
THE GOVERNMENT VISION FOR UK FOREIGN POLICY.
Our priorities Admitted:

ATTENTION:
We the Board of Directors, Members and Committee of Great British High Commission are now aware of your winning prize. We write to remind you that we receive a report from COCA COLA Company that you could not get your winning prize (500,000.00 Pounds) right in your country India, due to your country Indian Government strict rules and laws at the Airport and also in the Indian banking system which prompt the COCA COLA Company to withdraw their delivery agent as well as you’re winning prize back to UK.

After our investigation, we confirmed that you are the Winner of the COCA COLA Draw Award. We have also confirmed that until this moment that you have not received your Winning amount. After our numerous verifications we found out that you could not get your winning amount to you due to your low co-operation to the Indian Government Airport Authority as well as the Indian banking system.

In regards to the above mentioned problems, we (BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION) have decided to release your winning amount directly to your personal bank account without any delay.

LISTEN VERY ATTENTIVELY TO ENABLE YOU RECEIVE YOUR WINNING PRIZE!!!

By the power and authority, we have conveyed your transaction to trusted Bank which will transfer your winning prize; you are to contact the (bank with your bank personal details for them to transfer your winning amount directly to your bank account without any further delay.

Be informed that the only money you will pay to them is (80 Pounds) equivalent to (6,500 Rupees) which is their Service Charges.
The reason why you have to pay the Charges first to them is because there is an instruction place by (B.M.O.F) British Ministry of Finance not to deduct any charges from your winning amount for security purposes.

THIS IS DETAILS TO CONTACT (ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND).

Bank Name, (Bank of Scotland United Kingdom)
Contact Person:( Dr. Frank Steve),
General Manager Foreign Transfer,
Bank Email ID: ( royalbnkscotlnd@hotmail.com )
Bank Phone Number: +447017430987

Is important you call (Dr. Frank Steve),) The General Manager of Royal Bank as soon as you receive this mail and furnish them with your details to receive your prize, Below is the information you are required to fill and forward to (BANK OF SCOTLAND GROUP). make sure you fill this form before forwarding it to the Bank of Scotland don't send this form to Bank of Scotland without filling it, do this immediately.

Your Full Name..........
Your Sex..........
You’re Address.........
You’re State.............
You’re Direct Mobile Phone........
Occupation.......................
Date of Birth....................
Your Office/ Home Phone...........

Account Holder....................
Bank Name.........................
Bank Account No...................
Bank Swift Code...................
Bank Address......................

While sending the above listed details, Remember to ask BANK OF SCOTLAND UK on how will you pay their bank required Service Charges of (80 Pounds) equivalent to (6,500 Rupees) which is the only money you will pay to them for immediate transfer of your winning amount. If they ask you for any additional money after you have paid (6,500 Rupees) do report to us and legal action will be taken against them.

We guarantee your transaction with ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND UK. Follow our instructions; you will not have any problem.

>From British High Commission Foreign Secretary Austin Benjamin has made a statement following the decision to place on your winning amount.
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION OFFICE,
KING CHARLES STREET,LONDON,SW1A.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam