Saturday, July 28, 2012

+4470 Phone Numbers - Personal Forwarding Numbers

By: Nyla - FraudWatchers.org July 1st, 2010

+4470 numbers are a major red flag when it comes to scams!

Personal forwarding phone numbers (also called "UK global redirects") are easily recognized, and they are a major red flag when it comes to identifying scams or scammers. The number is often given in the format +447024013818. The country code, (the +44) seemingly indicates that the number is UK-based number. The 70 prefix, however, identifies it as a personal forwarding number.

What is a personal forwarding number? or When is a London phone number not a London phone number?

Many phone providers offer this service for free. The number can be "forwarded" to any phone in the world. The charge for the call, which can be quite high, are billed to the caller, not the recipient of the call. The user of the number can apply for one more or less anonymously. Consequently, scammers love this free, portable number which can fool the unwary into believing they are located in the UK, while the scammer actually receives calls on an anonymous, prepaid cell phone on another continent, in another legal jurisdiction.

Does a personal forwarding number always equal a scam?

With very few exceptions, yes. Because of the high rates charged for the caller, legitimate UK businesses would not be eager to use a +4470 number as a contact number for customers or people applying for a job. Most businesses use +4470 numbers strictly internally, for example, forwarding a personal number to the mobile phone or temporary office location of a foreign-based employee in order to save on phone charges.

If you're given a +4470 number in the course of an email exchange, chances are you are dealing with a scammer. This is especially true if that number claims to belong to a London barrister, lawyer, travel agency, visa agency, lottery claim office or human resources/employment department.

Personal forwarding numbers are often a very good sign that you need to investigate further.

Additional Information

http://www.joewein.net/blog/2009/11/08/dial-44-70-uk-numbers-for-international-fraudsters/

Curious Nelly provided the following informative link.

Ofcom Press Release on Personal Number Scams
 
http://www.fraudwatchers.org/forums/view.php?pg=fw_personal_nos

14 comments:

  1. dear sir/madam
    I am recieving job offer from below mention hotel and a person contacted with his name in toomy grath ,,is it fake???????????
    Shorthorn Randolph Hotel
    Information Department
    00448713159765/00448713152631.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is a scam! Only scammers use telephone numbers. They redirect the call to their cellphones in other countries, they are Not in the UK!

      Delete
  2. I had received main containg this address
    BBC CLAIM CENTRE UK
    46 Bush Road, Off Stamford
    Line PE92YP, Liverpool
    England, United Kingdom.
    Tell- +448719966890

    Is it Fake.........

    ReplyDelete
  3. dear sir/madam,

    i was received a job offer from the below address

    LSC & Construction Engineer Ltd
    www.lsccruises.co.uk
    12 Westminster Pier, SW1A 2JH,
    Embankment,United Kingdom
    Mr Birming Ghamy
    +447024016311

    is it fake or real???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course its a scam! Just like the article says! Forward the email to me at advance.fee.fraud@gmail.com

      Delete
  4. I was chatting with this guy from London..after several months of chat he would like to sponsor me so that we can be together..he gave me his number as+4470240840864 and+447086465911.I tried calling him but failed. I want to know it its a scam?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course its a scam. The person is NOT in London or the UK. If you read the article, it explains that numbers that begin with +44 70 forward the call to another country. No one in London or the UK would use such a number!

      Delete
  5. can you pls send me the reapply
    for this number fake or good
    +44 8719746077

    ReplyDelete
  6. sir,
    i have recive a mail that is...................

    Congratulations once again,
    Dr. Dennis Smith
    Congratulations your E-mail Address has been selected by the Toyota automobile Award Promotion 2014, We wish to congratulate you over your email success in our computer balloting Games held 2014 here in United Kingdom. This is a Millennium Scientific Computer Draw in which your email addresses were Selected Among the FIVE winners around the globe. Your email address was selected from the World-Wide Data-base. Asia, Africa, America, Europe and Part of Australia Continents of the online promotion. You have won Two Hundred and seventy Five Thousand Five Hundred British Pounds Sterling’s (£275,500.00 GBP) which is equivalent to ONE CRORE SIXTY FIVE LAKH RUPEE (Rs, 1, 65,000,000.00 inr) TOYOTA SUV 2014 CAR,ONE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5 from the Toyota automobile award promotion London. The Official Sponsor of the UNICEF, FIFA, BBC CHARITY HOMES, AND ICC CRICKET SPONSOR'S. SEND
    Email: tyawd@hotmail.com
    Direct Line:  +447010065692
    The Claims Director/Event Manager,
    Payment and Release Order Dept, ..............

    tell that is fake..

    ReplyDelete
  7. i have received this mail

    DEAR MR AATHITHYAN.S
    This is an Affirmation that your Experiences and Qualifications were found suitably qualified for the requirements of THE SUN INTER HOTEL. UNITED KINGDOM.This documents attached embodies the approved terms for the purpose of this contract.We take this opportunity to congratulate you on selection and look forward to a long mutually beneficial association. We trust our relationship will be guided by a quest for excellence in all facets as based on a foundation of mutual respect and sincerity in all dealing, Welcome abroad!
    Now, you have to contact the Diplomatic personnel appointed by The British High Commission in India with your passport scan copy along with two size photograph for the procurement of your Valid Visa and work/residence permit papers as we are having a contract agreement with them for the easiest acquisition of employees necessary valid traveling document. Now, you have to contact the Diplomat for acquisition of your Visa, work/residence permit papers which will empower you to live and work in United Kingdom.Note that you must inform him that you got an appointment letter from THE SUN INTER HOTEL. UK.

    THE DESIGNATED DIPLOMAT CONTACT DETAILS ARE BELOW
    DIPLOMAT [JOHN HENRY]
    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION INDIA
    PHONE:+918286132952
    E-Mail:[britishdeputyhighcommissionindia@email.com]
    He will process our expatriates their Valid travel papers from UK embassy in India, because we have sent all documents required for your three years work permit visa application to UK embassy in India for Visa processing.This diplomat was appointed by the British High Commission to process our selected candidate's visa in India to avoid refusal or denial of Visa/ Permits by UK Embassy .We urge you to comply and cooperate with him so as to enable you get your Valid UK Employment Visa, Work/ Residence Permit.
    Note; You are to bear your travel documents processing expenses upfront to prove your seriousness and commitment to work with our reputable organization.After your travel documents are ready, we shall proceed with the securing of your accommodation,feedings,hospitality and air ticket here in UK at the company's East and transfer to the consular in charge of your visa. we must have confirmed your visa,your seriousness and willingness to join our team here in London before this. Also remember that any Expenses you make on the process of registering your documents shall be refunded back to you on joining as you submit your expenses report.
    Contact the diplomat immediately to start visa processing because you have to resume in office on 27/NOV/2015. ,update us with the process between you and the Diplomat in charge of your Visa,in case of any advice where necessary.
    Congratulations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i was received a job offer from the below address.
    ADMASCO ABU DHABI
    PO Box : 7384,6th Street,Khalidiya - Abu Dhabi
    United Arab Emirates
    Phone: +971 523153180
    Fax: +971 2 628 9928
    Email:info@admascouae.com
    and advice to communicate this travel agency for processing my working visa namely below;
    Al Habtoor Travel & Tourism
    Hamdan Building,Abu Baker Al Siddique Rd
    Dubai,United Arab Emirates
    Phone:+971 5 231 53302
    Fax: +971 4 295 6860
    Email: wp.alhabtoortravels@outlook. com
    using this email address that we always contacted;
    recruit.admascoabudhabi@gmail.com
    Is this a fake...or not
    Please reply and update us asap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Read http://419advancefeefraud.blogspot.com/2016/11/scammer-impersonating-admasco-abu-dhabi.html It is an obvious scam!

      Delete