419 scam: "Barclays Bank Plc" <h.bolat@vardakosta.com> BARCLAYS BANK LONDON

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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:

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. )
- ",000,000" (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)
- "barr." (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))
- "nigeria national petroleum corporation" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a next of kin scam.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barclays Bank Plc" <h.bolat@vardakosta.com>
Date: Sat, 25 May 2024 11:37:42 -0700
Subject: BARCLAYS BANK LONDON

Barclays Bank Plc. London
29 Borough High St London Se1 11Y, UK
Tel +44-902-400-999

Dear Esteemed Customer? We are aware that this is certainly not a conventional way of approaching an unknown person for establishment of project and investment but after due vetting and evaluation of your Inheritance file which the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Forwarded and contacted us to see to your immediate payment sum of US$15,000,000.00 from their offshore Account with us.

We were meant to understand from our findings that you have been going through hard ways by paying a lot of charges to see to the release of your fund (US$15,000,000.00), which has been delayed by handiwork of some miscreant elements from Nigeria, so, we advise you to stop further communication with any correspondence from Nigeria as you have met up with Barclays Bank directly, althoughâ€™ we knew that your representatives in Nigeria will tell you to still go ahead with him/her but on your own risk.

The only thing required from you is to obtain a Non-Residential Clearance Form/Receipt which we are not asking you to pay the fee to us here in the United Kingdom as the Government of Nigeria has paid us for handling/processing your payment with other customers.

We will help you to see that you obtain the Non-Residential Clearance form without any stress so that our bank will affect immediate wire transfer of your Inheritance fund sum of (US$15,000,000.00) into your designated bank account. If you follow up our directives Barr. Emmanuel Justice instructions, your fund will reflect into your designated bank account within five Bank working days from the day you obtain your Non-Residential Clearance form.

So contact Barr. Emmanuel Justice with this Email Address below for your Non-Residential Clearance Certificate Form.

Email address: barremmmanueljustiice@yandex.com

Head, Private Banking Section
Ed, Foreign Payments
Yours sincerely,
Mr. John Rob
Barclays Bank Plc.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam