Suspected spammer: [email protected]
Received by us: Sat, 26 Apr 2025 07:03:35 +0000 (UTC)
SpamAssasin rating: 8.7
Email analysis
This email is a quintessential example of a financial scam, often categorized as an “advance-fee” or “419” scam. Multiple red flags signal that this communication is not legitimate. First, the sender uses a generic Gmail address ([email protected]) instead of an official banking email, which greatly undermines the credibility of the claim. The email claims to be from a Barclays Bank staff member with a seemingly high-profile connection to the President of Ukraine, exploiting current geopolitical crises to create urgency and lend a false sense of legitimacy.
The narrative is filled with vague and exaggerated claims, such as facilitating a massive $25 million transaction through dubious methods (“back door” and “via vault”), a tactic commonly employed by scammers to entice recipients into believing they have access to illicit funds. Furthermore, the proposed percentage breakdown (40% for the recipient, 55% for herself, and only 5% to charity) is suspicious, as legitimate investment opportunities do not operate under such bizarre and imbalanced terms. The insistence on confidentiality and secrecy is another warning sign, suggesting that the sender is aware that their proposal would not withstand scrutiny.
Individuals should be wary of unsolicited emails promising large sums of money and requiring personal details or upfront payments. Legitimate financial institutions will never request personal information or suggest financial arrangements via email. Always exercise caution and verify the authenticity of such communications before taking any action.
Plain text Email
Attention:
I am Mrs. Laura Ridley, a British Barclays Bank staff and account officer to President of Ukraine, during the early start of War with Russia i helped Mr President to facilitate one of his oil businesses with the West, which I helped him then to coordinate, I made the sum of US$25,000,000.00 twenty five million Usd and moved it through the back door to an escrow account from Bank of England to Emirates Bank Dubai and via vault.
I am contacting you now to help me receive the funds in your country for investment, where I will give you 40%, while 55% for myself and 5% to any charity of your choice.
But you have to keep this project secret and private to yourself, and please get back to me if you are serious and interested, so that I will inform you what to do next.
Waiting to hear from you,
Thanks, Mrs. Laura Ridley
HTML Email
Attention:
I am Mrs. Laura Ridley, a British Barclays Bank staff and account officer to President of Ukraine, during the early start of War with Russia i helped Mr President to facilitate one of his oil businesses with the West, which I helped him then to coordinate, I made the sum of US$25,000,000.00 twenty five million Usd and moved it through the back door to an escrow account from Bank of England to Emirates Bank Dubai and via vault.
I am contacting you now to help me receive the funds in your country for investment, where I will give you 40%, while 55% for myself and 5% to any charity of your choice.
But you have to keep this project secret and private to yourself, and please get back to me if you are serious and interested, so that I will inform you what to do next.
Waiting to hear from you,
Thanks, Mrs. Laura Ridley