I was mailed a very convincing letter on Barclays bank stationary telling me that Barclays bank PLC along with the Audit and Accounts Unit of the United Nations located in London, were in the process of trying to reach individuals to which long term debt owed. This included many foreigners who had been denied their payments.
I was also sent out a form by which I was asked to fill out and return to them with my bank account number, routing code and swift code and was also requested to send them a photocopy of my identification. Strangely I was also asked not to reveal any of this communication to anyone or any other financial institution. (Which was my first clue to something fishy.)
I was in the need of money pretty badly, so I foolishly complied with their request. The following day I received an email telling me that the total amount to be wired into my bank account would be $10,500, 00.00 but before I could receive the wire I had to send them $5,250.00. After which the funds would be transferred immediately.
So I then did something I would advise anyone suspicious of a 419 scam do. Email them back and tell them to either 1) Please subtract the fees you require of me from the total amount you were intending on wiring me, or 2) Offer them a $105,250.00 reward to whomever would be so kind as to pay these fees for me, after which I would immediately send them the generous thank you gift as mentioned once my account received the wire. My theory was that if indeed such money was truly intended to be sent to me, and this was not a scam, anyone in their right mind would jump at the chance of making $100,000.00 for what would probably not be more than a three day loan. If no one took me up on the offer, obviously it had to be a scam. And best of all I did not loose a penny to discover this.
As my suspicions were correct the generous offer was never taken for the simple fact that this was indeed all a scam to get my money. And I have never heard from Barclays bank again.
I took the time to post this incident to whomever is tempted by the promise of large sums of money from people whom you do not know personally. And if would ease your mind to know that indeed it is a scam and not a real opportunity to make some money, perhaps your might use the techniques outlined above to see if you get any legitimate response.
FYI: The original letter was from a Mr. Edward Breman
Remittance department
Barclays Bank PLC
Phone: 011 44-207-0604343 Ext. 2
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