419 scam: "GRACE EDWARD"<harrisbrownbarclaysbankuk@writesoon.com> BARCLAYS FINAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTION TO YOU

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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:
- "cost of transfer" (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)
- "gracedwardbarclaysbank@writesoon.com" (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.
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.
- +447035965117 (UK, redirects to a mobile phone in another country)

Fraud email example:

From: "GRACE EDWARD" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <gracedwardbarclysbnk@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 9 May 2010 21:30:26 -0700
Subject: BARCLAYS FINAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTION TO YOU

Barclays Bank Plc
1 Churchill Place, London,
E14 5HP

Attn: Barclays Non Residential Online Account Beneficiary,

Be informed that we are approaching the week which your payment file of US$10,700,000 will be automatically shut down from our database.

Prior to our last e-mail to you regards the International Swift Transfer which you willingly not adhere to the instruction of Fund Transfer department, we hereby ask you the following questions.

Send a notification letter of understanding to my Bank why you have not send the Cost of Transfer the payment to your Bank Account.

Secondly, tell our Bank if you did not want us to send the payment to you, so we can inform United Nation that you refuse to receive your entitlement.

Finally, if you want us to send you the payment, kindly tell us when you will send the Cost of transfer as breaking down below:

Your total fund under our custody is US$10,700.000.00

The Cost of Transfer for the full amount is US$350 x 10.7 = US$3,750

Our Bank wants to transfer bit by bit to relieve you the Cost of Transfer.

We have program the Sum of US$1,000,000.00 ready in our automatic teller machine for onward transfer.

The Cots of Transfer for US$1,000,000.00 is UD$350.

Send this C.O.T to my Boss information as stated below:

Receiver Name: HARRIS BROWN

Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

Amount: US$350 ONLY.

Please, don't forget to re-confirm your full Bank Account Details.

If you have any question, please call me on my number below:

Tel: +44 7035-965-117 direct line

+44 703 591 0423 Official line

+44 703 595 6375

Fax: +44 7006-045-52

Thanks Once again for contacting our bank

Regards

Mrs. Grace Edward
Barclays Bank Plc
1 Churchill Place,
London, E14 5HP
London United Kingdom

Please, send a copy of your e-mail to my office address: gracedwardbarclaysbank@writesoon.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam