419 scam: "Mr. Eric Barnhart" Our Finding

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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 fee" (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. )
- "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. )
- "the consignment" (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)
- "consignment " (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)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Eric Barnhart"
Reply-To: <ericbrty5@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2015 17:31:08 +0100
Subject: Our Finding

Charlotte Douglas International Airport
5501 R C Josh Birmingham
Parkway Charlotte,
NC 28208, United States

Good Day

I am Mr. Eric Barnhart a former US Army Contractor presently working as the Assistant Director Inspection Unit of Charlotte Douglas International Airport North Carolina USA. During our recent inspection a package containing an ATM card was found. I discovered the abandoned shipment left by a Courier Service agent who was supposed to deliver these package to you but failed to provide necessary clearances papers needed by the US Customs and when scanned we discover that the ATM card contains huge amount of the sum of $5.5M with other vital document . The consignment was abandoned because the Contents of the consignment was not properly declared by the consignee as "MONEY" rather it was declared as personal effect to avoid diversion by the Shipping Agent and also the inability to summit a clearance certificate requested by the US Custom.

Further finding reveal that the Director of Charlotte Douglas International Airport North Carolina , has contacted you and the consignment is still left at our Storage House here at Charlotte Douglas International Airport North Carolina till date which was delivered through a registered shipping Company known as Speedway Courier Services a division of Tran guard LTD. Approximately, the details of the consignment includes your name, your email address and the official yellow tag document are all tagged on the parcel.

However, to enable me confirm if you are the actual recipient of this consignment, I will advise you to provide your current Phone Number and Full Address, to enable me cross check if it corresponds with the address on the official documents including the name of nearest Airport around your city and other details. Please note that we have made arrangement to release your ATM card worth $5.5M to you immediately you provide all the necessary requirements for the delivery of your ATM card and also remit the sum of $195.00 charged for Custom clearance fee. So by this letter, you are advised to re-confirm to me the followings:

(1) Your House Address
(2) Your working Telephone and Fax numbers for easy communication.

Take note that this consignment is supposed to have been returned to the United States Treasury Department as unclaimed delivery due to the delays in concluding on the clearance processes. Once I confirm you as the actual recipient of the parcel, and you send in the sum of $195.00 charged for the Custom clearance fee, within 3-6 hours upon the receiver of the fee your parcel will be delivered to you.

Thanks.

Mr. Eric Barnhart
Assistance Inspection Director
Charlotte Douglas International Airport North Carolina

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Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam