This is a standard next-of-kin scam message, presenting itself as coming from an official at Barclays Bank in the United Kingdom, but with return email addresses in Hong Kong and Portugal. Is that where the scammer is located? It’s not always possible to tell.
Scammers operate from free email accounts, and given the worldwide nature of the web, they can set these accounts up from anywhere. The scammer could be in almost any country. You can be sure he has only one purpose, however: to extract an advance fee for this supposed cash transfer, whereupon he’ll vanish, never to be heard from again.
from: Andrew Howell (howellandrew41@yahoo.com.hk)
reply-to: andrewhowell1@megamail.pt
date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
subject: Kindly Assist: Funds TransferCompliments of the Day,
Dear Sir,
I am Mr. Andrew Howell, a staff with Barclays Bank Plc UK. I decided to reach you directly to solicit your assistance and Guidelines in making a business investment and transfer a huge amount of GBP 15,000,000.00 (Fifteen Million British Pounds Sterling Only). The fund is legitimate and has all confirmable legal documents to back this payment in your name legitimately. Thus, I need to solicit your permission, assistance and support; I propose an offer of 40% of the total amount to you . I presently work as an Account Director and in charge with all Offshore Mortgage & Services of our overseas brokers/investors with Barclays Bank Plc, London. The account has been dormant, and last operated many years ago. Nobody has done anything as regards to the claiming of this money, because the account owner has no family member or friends that have any knowledge, as to the existence of either the account or the funds; I have decided to find a reliable partner to deal with. My proposition to you is to seek your consent to present you as the Next of kin and beneficiary of this late client, that the proceeds of this account valued a huge sum shall be paid to you, and then we can share the amount on a mutually agreed percentage.
As at this moment, I am constrained to issue more details about this business until your response is received. Please take out a moment of your very busy Schedule today, to respond back if you are interested. Please send your response and direct telephone numbers via my email, for further explanations on source of funds and details of funds transfer. I wish for utmost confidentiality in handling this transaction. You can write me back with my private email address (andrew.howell@megamail.pt ) OR ( andrewhowell@i12.com ) .
I await your immediate response,
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Andrew Howell.
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