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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:

Fraud email example:

From: "Barclays Bank Plc" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <barclaysbnkplc44@yahoo.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:30:23 -0800
Subject: RE: US$800,000.00 INTEREST PAYMENT

Barclays Bank Plc.                                                       
26th Floor 1 Churchill Place,
London, E14 5HP Reg. No: 1026167.
United Kingdom
 
From: The Desk of
Mr.Chris Lucas
Barclays bank London UK
 
Dear Esteemed Client,
 
        RE: US$800,000.00 INTEREST PAYMENT:
 
I am Mr. Chris Lucas  Head of Financial Services and Global Head of Banking and
Capital Markets.  Payment Director, Corporate Services Division and Head of
Swift Transfer Unit of Barclays bank London UK.
 
Sometime ago, in our bank your  fund was brought to our bank from National Lotto
Group here in England and after some period, the money was taken back to their
treasury. But for the period of time this money was in our bank, it generated an
interest of US$800,000.00 which we are about to pay you Via International  Bank
wire transfer
through one of our corresponding bank in US.
 
For your information and advice, you need to hasten up to pick this Fund because
from time to time the National Lotto Group auditors do come to our bank to
cross-check our files and our financial update, the earlier you comply with the
demands of the transfer of the fund, the faster the action, because when the
auditors arrive and find out that his interest fund is still in our bank they
will call back the accrued interest to the lotto treasury account.
What we need from you now is any form of your identification for example; your
International passport or your driver license, your telephone and fax numbers
for easy communication to you with your receiving bank details and  address, or
if you wish to have this fund paid to you through any other means that you find
more suitable  kindly indicate meanwhile, forward your banking details to us. As
a matter of fact we don’t have enough time to waste since we have wasted time in
trying the best way to reach  you since we do not have your contact phone
number, so try and comply with the entire necessary requirement for the
transaction to be completed by contacting the gentlemen below for the payment.
 
Contact : Mr. Terry Jones (Customer Adviser Case Officer)
Email:  barclaysbnkplc44@yahoo.co.jp
Phone No: +44-7035973996 
Fax Line: +44- 8704795431
 
 
Note all effort to reach you failed and I had to send you a mail on this email
address, which I guessed belongs to you.
 
Expecting your immediately response.
 
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Chris Lucas
Barclays bank London UK.
 
 
*********************************************************************
Barclays Bank Plc London
UK CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
This transmission may contain confidential information protected by state or
federal law. The information is intended only for use consistent with the state
business discussed in this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient,
you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the
taking of any action based on the contents is strictly prohibited. If you have
received this transmission in error, please delete this email and notify the
sender immediately. Your cooperation will be appreciated

Anti-fraud resources: