419 scam: "Barclays Bank PLC" <info@barclay.com> Information!!!

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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)
- "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.)
- "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))
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
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.
- +447031993263 (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.
- barr.davismilton@workmail.com (Workmail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "Barclays Bank PLC" <info@barclay.com> (may be fake)
Reply-To: sarahsmith02@accountant.com
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2012 03:47:36 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Information!!!

Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place Canary Wharf
London E14 5RB, United Kingdom

Dear Valued Customer,

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
Pounds to your designated bank account from their offshore account with
us.

The audit reports given to us, shows that you have been going through hard
times by paying a lot of money to see to the release of your funds, which
has been delayed by some dubious officials.

We therefore advice that you stop further communication with any
correspondence outside this office since you do not have to pay any money
or fee to receive your funds as you have met up with the whole funds
transfer requirements.

The only thing required from you is to obtain the Funds Clearance
Certificate, from the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) through our
Assigned Accredited Attorney Barrister Davis Milton (Email:
barr.davismilton@workmail.com ) 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.

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.

Please Note that without the Funds Clearance Certificate, your funds will
not be release to you, for we work on instruction and you the 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. Davis Milton.

Email: barr.davismilton@workmail.com

Phone: +44 703 199 3263

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

Registered in England. Registered No: 1026167.
==========================================================================================================================================
(Note: this message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by
mail scanner's, and is believed to be true and clean.)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam