Have I hit the big time?

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Old Grey Wolf
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 02:46 PM

419 scam and identity theft. The giveaway is the .co.za (South Africa), the very poor spellings and grammar, and don't forget the typos.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 11:48 AM

Excuse me if I've missed it, but I don't think anyone in this thread has pointed out what I've seen suggested elsewhere as one reason for the poor English and nonsense in most of these messages: that the scammers are looking for uncritical victims.

Richard

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 09:50 AM

of course!

but out of sheer vulgar curiosity, what other polls did they run?

sandra

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 09:05 AM

The original question was Have I hit the big time? which for me is all about an artist's top claim to fame.... so here goes me with my claim -

I have played in a band for many years with a bass player who once was placed third in the fRoots magazine's Readers' Poll's Worst Trousers section.

So I ask the question - Have I hit the big time?

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: gnu
Date: 05 May 12 - 04:30 PM

I never open emails from people/programs/sites I don't know. Having said that, I have Rogers/Yahoo mail so I can chosse to delete them before they ever get to my PC.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 May 12 - 08:33 PM

Ebbie-

I'm so pleased to hear that you've made this valuable contact. Please follow it up and have the funds deposited to my bank account here at Mudcat Central.

MAX

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 May 12 - 02:54 PM

Out of pure altruism I would like to help her out, but I can't figure out how she knows me. I don't remember ever meeting her but she obviously loves and trusts me.

"A personal message from your friend, Abida gaddafi:


Dear Good friend,

I am Abida Gaddafi wife of late Khamis Gaddafi the son of Colonel Gaddafi the Libyan leader who died in NATO raid in Tripoli.

I am contacting you to assist me in removing the sum of thirty six million USA dollars been parked in trunk box and deposited with a security company in cote diviore.

The funds was deposited with a security company in my name, as a matter of fact, my only son and the entire family of my father in-law were trapped in a bunker in Tripoli before the end of the war, when i manage to sneak out with my son with the help of a security guard, Cross the border and am presently in hidden place in cote diviore.
My only means of communication at the moment is my laptop and hoping to travel to to any part of the world to safeguard my life because the regime of my father in-law has collapse." And so on.

I used to tutor in English as a Second Language- do you suppose she is a former student of mine?

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,The Rev is back
Date: 26 May 11 - 10:41 AM

It's 2011 now and I just got an email that seemed to good to be true. Five mins on google I see it is, I'll string him along for a laugh I don't have a cat to play fur balls with.
But beware he's back,



Respected Performer


My Name is Rev.Mike Gary Festival Director of Heritage Music Company
here in the London UK . A company that specializes in promotions of
events in the entertainment industry.We promote and gives
international exposure to musicians and entertainers all over the
globe.To position London as a cultural centre for world-class
performing arts in United Kingdom,the capital london will be hosting
the International Festival of Dance and Music for the ninth
consecutive time.

BLAH BALH BLAH

Yours Sincerely
Rev.Mike Gary
Festival Director
THE HERITAGE MUSIC COMPANY
[phone]*

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Toronto
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 12:05 PM

fyi - this scam is still going on in Canada. We received a request recently from this same Youth London Conference, just with a few different contacts/details. Appreciated this thread that gave us additional evidence that the red flags we sensed indeed were a problem.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Sylvia Allen
Date: 30 Mar 10 - 10:05 AM

I am grateful to ALL of you who posted the scam! I do so much public speaking (and have been reaching youth markets) that I was thrilled (initially) to speak to 3,500. Once they asked for money to be sent directly to Dr. Warren Darwin (theoretially from the British Embassy) the red flags went up. How do we stop scams like this? Thanks to all, again. If you ever need (legitimately) a motivational, inspirational speaker give me a call. (www.sylviaschildren.org)

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 04:25 PM

The biggest clue is an unexpected invitation with far more money than you might expect for an unlikely venue or event.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Ofernyc
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 04:17 PM

I was also invited to speak at Royal London Youth Conference 2010 by a gentleman named Pastor Mike Gabriel. The offer was all too good with hefty honorarium and all expanses paid. There was a presented urgency as the conference was taking place in less than two weeks. Then was referred to Dr. Warren Darwin from the British Embassy to send documents and pay a work permit fee of $400. The address was not a UK Embassy address and the whole thing was proved to be a scam.

Be careful of Dr. Warren Darwin and other scams. Always look for the address where the money is to be sent and make sure you also speak to them in person! The first sign is when you can't call them or get in touch with them!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Weasel
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 08:06 AM

I had a similar sort of thing - a chap asking for lessons for his daughter who was visiting England. I told him I charged £3,000 per 30 minute lesson (Yes, three thousand pounds!) and he was quite happy with that. At some point I had to send him some cash of course. I played with him for a while and then got bored.

Cheers,

Weasel

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Soprano 39
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 07:35 PM

I have just received an email from DR Gary Smith to be invited at the festival music awards.
Too good to be true, all arrangements made and a great fee but i had to get intouch with the british high commission for an UK work permit and pay the fee of 200 pounds !!!!
How can these people continue they little fraud games, work on peoples hope and still walk free.
I think the guy should be tracked down and pay !!!
Was too good but to ask so much information and get can't get hold of him on the phone, makes mistakes in his emails and when i did finally speak to him a terrible foreign accent for an english guy !!!
I glad i made my research and listen to my husband before i signed or accepted anything !!!!
CAREFUL THERE HE GOES AGAIN !!!!
DR GARY SMITH AND DR WARREN DARWIN !!!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 12:17 AM

Memo to Bugsy & tj, FYO -

The Queen is NOT HRH {Her Royal Highness} —

She is HM {Her Majesty}.


Memo to MtheGM — You need to GET OUT MORE...

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,justincase
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 11:13 PM

Im surprised this is going around, I got one too...

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Charles Moffat
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:22 AM

I recently received an email from a Brew Smith asking me to come to England and build a memorial sculpture. He said he had seen my website and was very impressed (while I am also a sculptor, there are no sculptures on my website [charlesmoffat.com] so immediately warning bells went off). He was offering to pay $9000 USD plus all my expenses.

Mr Smith then asked me to contact a "Dr Edward Alex" of the British High Commission in order to get my work permit... Dr Edward Alex then responded (from a Gmail address no less, not a .gov.uk address!) asking for some paperwork and 160 pounds sent to him in HIS name, not in the name of the British High Commission.

Of course I was already on to him. Work permit scams are apparently very common in the UK. I checked the IPs and they were both coming from the same location.

I offered to go get the work permit from British Consulate in Toronto (a mere 30 minute walk from my home) and he promptly ignored that suggestion, insisting I send the money to Edward Alex. (Oh and neither one of these people can spell properly... horrible English skills for Brits! And they LIKE USING BLOCK LETTERS A LOT IN AN IDIOTIC EFFORT TO LOOK OFFICIAL.)

I ended up playing with him, saying I didn't have enough money for the work permit, could he please send me $50 by PayPal... he said he phoned "Dr Edward Alex" and said a lesser payment would be okay.

I am going to continue playing with him as long as I can. The more time he wastes on me the less time he will spend trying to scam other people.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,mike
Date: 21 May 09 - 11:58 AM

I just received an e-mail from the reverend. He offered me 50,000 pounds to play two, forty minute sets!!!!! He actually called me at home this morning to remind me to check my e-mail!!!!!! Hilarious!!!!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 May 09 - 06:53 PM

It's a great pity that we don't have the technology yet to PM these b......s back with a fire cracker of a virus to completely kick the s... out of all there computer software and hardware.
Maybe one day!

...and as a UK resident how very dare they use our (beloved!?) Queen in such a numbscull scam?

I'm outraged.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Guest from Canada
Date: 12 May 09 - 05:50 PM

And he said he was in spain and to email only so i called and he answered lol idiot

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Guest in Canada
Date: 12 May 09 - 05:49 PM

It has now hit Canada too. I got the email the other day on tour, and I didn't know any better so I answered the email. He replyed with this....

A london show for a music awards and festival. I called and he doesn't even sound like he is from there. We don't even play Gospel music LMAO so I knew there was something wrong when he emailed me.

I called today and talked to this so called MIke guy and said the show was cancelled and moved to June 20-24. It was first told to me that the show was on the 10th!

Anyways, ITS BULLSHIT. I can't believe they would scam musicians..


"We read through your website and I observe how intelligent you are in the
Gospel Music entertainment World which is going to help us to have an easy
communication with you.

The Company is taking care of your traveling tickets and Hotel
Accommodation.

You Band needs to obtain UK work Permit from the British High Commission
to enable smooth arrangements. My Company will connect you to the BRITISH
COMMISSION to procure this relevant documents without been stressed up.

Reconfirm your home and office address and also send us a written
Biodata about your band for our perusal and further action .You can
only send me emails bcos i am presently out of the office for an official
duty
in Spain.

We have attached the company formal invitation Letter and Contract
Agreement.Return back to us with a signed copy for proper documentation.
The Event 0rganizing committee is presently updating our website more
information is coming soon.

Acknowledge the receipt of my mail

Stay Blessed
REV DR MIKE GARY
HERITAGE MUSIC COMPANY"

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 09 - 11:32 AM

The scam hits Mexico too! I got the Heritage House invitation and at first I thought it was legit, but when I saw how much they were going to "pay" me I knew it was bullshit. I searched the web and here I am with other musicians saying how nice it would be to get that much money for two 30 minute sessions! Well, now that it's over all I can do is laugh and keep playing my instrument knowing I'm a little wiser, you learn something new everyday, friends!
Juan
www.myspace.com/juan_gaspar

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 02 May 09 - 08:05 AM

So do I, Bugsy, so do I - and I, of course, didn't. But just as there are people who fall for the Nigerian letter and the bank "security alerts" there are people who fall for this one. I'd love to believe there are total strangers out there willing to pay me £20,000 for one concert performance, though. *sigh*

This same message has surfaced on a fiddle forum as well, though - it's certainly getting around without (so far) being picked up by the various hoax busting sites.

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Bugsy
Date: 02 May 09 - 04:55 AM

I find it hard to believe that ANYONE thought of this as anything but a SCAM in the first place.

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 01 May 09 - 11:09 AM

If it's too much trouble for you to read this thread or google concerts in London over this weekend (or any of the names in the email) then you probably deserve to be scammed. Yes, it's unbelievable and that's your biggest clue - it's not believable.

Nor, coming at the end of this thread, is your question.

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,musicians/artist
Date: 01 May 09 - 06:41 AM

guys,

is any one received an email coming from the Heritage music company there in London? the organizers keeps on telling me that they have a performance this may2-3 in this venue:

The Venue as follows:
VENUE:
Friends House Hall( London ) Hospitality
Friends House
173 Euston Road
London NW1 2BJ

kindly check this co musicians, because I received an email coming from edward alex and he's inviting me to attend and perform there and the payment fee is 40,000pounds????? is this true? UNBELIEVABLE!!

Their number:
THE HERITAGE MUSIC COMPANY
[phone]

LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 03:47 PM

Yes we were aproached as well; something struck me as odd right away!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,leena
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:27 AM

thanks a lot Anne,

they send me another email and saying there are not scammers "as if" they're telling the truth, you know when I called them they're really not British people because they don't have accent when they speak...

again thank you very much Anne....

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 05:18 AM

I would string them along for some time giving them duff info. The more time they spend chasing you the less time they spend chasing dumb suckers! Besides it will be interesting o see what they say next!!

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 06:55 PM

OK Anne, I'll take your advice and keep out of the thread but if any musicans are foolish enough to take your e-mail seriously for even two seconds, then perhaps they deserve all that's coming to them.

DC

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:19 PM

Leena - if you want to know if there is a Luis Vilora at the British Embassy in Thailand (it's NOT a High Commission) then use the link I gave you before and ask them on that phone number or at that email address. None of us here are likely to be experts in the staff at British Embassies.
But it's a scam. You're clearly not a high profile music star so no one over here in the UK is going to pay you that much money for a concert appearance. Trust me on this!

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:17 PM

The reason this stayed above the line is because they are targetting musicians with music jobs. Yes, it's a scam, but because they are putting it out with a music slant it is likely to catch people (musicians)out (for the proof of which, read the thread).
It's a very different read and approach from the usual Nigerian scam letters (which now appear to have moved on and I for one am being offered "compensation" for having been scammed - as if!) and it is specific to musicians.
If you don't agree, just don't read the thread any further. Simples.

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 09:32 AM

Mark Ross,

I also got that kind of email but when I answered it... yak! its nothing.. well try to email her back..

Guys,

thanks for this thread! I have a clear mind now about the heritage music company...

thanks anne for the response..

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 09:18 AM

I have been advertising my availability as a teacher on Craigslist and I've started getting these kinds of reponses. Something about it stinks, methinks. What do 'Catters think?

Mark Ross


Hello,

How are you doing? Hope things are good with you? My name is Faith Walcott. I saw your advert concerning the coaching/lesson you listed to lecture anyone who is ready or who is lacking the knowledge . I have a daughter whose name is Kimberly Walcott, she is the only daughter that I have. I want the best for her in terms of education. She finished her first school in united states, but i have been only one who has been taking her responsibilities since her dad died in a car accident on his way to california for a conference meeting.so thats why i decided to have another man into mylife that will be like father to my daughter and i also.So she wont grow up knowing anyone as his father and I love her so much. Presently I'm in LONDON with his step dad. Im so sorry for saying all this, but im just saying it because I want the best for her , I will want you to me answer these important questions below so I can know the next step for you to start the lecturing...

1. How many months do you intend lecturing her ?
2. Please do you have a degree because i will need someone that is qualified.
3. How much do you charge per hour for lectures ?
4. How much is the charge/fee per month ?
5. I will need a closer Motel/Hotel close to your location, or any in the city ?
6. Do you prefare home lecture or she will come to you ?
7. Are you a male or female ?
8. Most especially, is the space for lecture still available ?
9. Whats the closest airport she can have her flight scheduled to from here?
I want you to answer these questions as soon as possible and I will wait for your response .
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
Best Regards.
Mrs Faith.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 08:00 AM

Hi Anne,

The Heritage Music Company and the other concern people send me email saying that they HOLD the money because I'm accusing them of scam and they told me that my character is bad as an artist... well all the blame was put on my face, but they haven't answered my question about the document, where is it? Did they send it? And the money? Did they really send it to my account or they just saying that the document was lost and we're going to hold your money because of your character!

Thanks for this thread and I was shocked of the attitude of these people as if because I'm an Asian they can fooled me?

Well, no comment.....

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,leena
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 06:45 AM

Hi Peace,

They send it to me personal email okay and checking about the hotel they never give me the name of the hotel because they ask me to send 33euro payment to the DHL with regards to my documents. And so as of this time, no money was being wired to my account and and I'm not a yanking chains okay? This is my first time in this kind of "scam", when I type heritage music company.tk in google, I found this kind of forum and I when I read it the same email that they send to me but the different is the name. Now, I'm sending their names and email add to the British High Commission queries and complaint but I was thinking there is one person in BHC, who contacted me about my document, is anybody here know this person in the name of LUIS VILORA from the British High Commission?

Thanks Anne for your concern, I really appreciate that...
I keep in touch thru this thread.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 03:08 AM

I don't think ANYONE should send Ms Thailand at AN International schoolS any e-mail addresses.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:59 AM

leena, did you call the hotel and ask? HUH?

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Apr 09 - 02:57 AM

I'm beginning to think 'leena' is yanking chains. WTF can be this dense?

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 07:29 PM

No it hasn't. It's doesn't take more than a sideways glance to see that it's just one more in the long line of threads of the Nigerian scam form. The connection to music is incidental.

DC

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 06:44 PM

Because it has to do with music?

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 05:07 PM

How has this thread remained above the line for so long?

DC

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 04:54 PM

Leena - please don't send me all your emails!
It is quite usual for a visa to cost money, so that part of it isn't odd. Was the "lady diplomat" from the British Embassy? (it's an embassy in Thailand, not a High Commission). It may well be true that DHL have somehow lost your documents, although that part sounds very odd. According to my Google search just now, the website you should be checking with is http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/visas/ where they say that fees for visas are charged in local currency, not euros, so it may be that again you're dealing with the scammers. Check out the official website and see if the phone numbers and email addresses you've been given are the right ones.

However, as to the fee you've been offered to perform in the UK and the existence of Heritage Music - I'm sure that part is a scam. A fee of £20,000 is, as I said before, only likely for a mainstream headline act and very unlikely if you've never played in the UK before. And Heritage Music is the name used by the two different scam emails I've had personal involvement with. It's not a well-known company here - if you Google the name you'll find one website, and that doesn't mention important concert events. If your "Edward Alex" is as important as he says he is - paying fees of £20,000 he should be the biggest of the big time promoters - why doesn't he have a proper email address instead of one with a different name and via yahoo?   As Emily says above, payment for a gig is never made ahead of the gig, so if they say they've paid you already you need to be very, very suspicious. Something is very wrong about this.

Don't pay out any more of your own money until you've checked and double-checked every "fact" and name you've been given. Where is the concert supposed to be happening? Check it out on line. If it's a major event (and for a fee of £20,000 it would have to be a major event) it will be on line and selling tickets. If you can't find it, it doesn't exist. Also go back to the start of this thread and read the correspondence - see if any of it matches your experience. If it does, you're in the process of being scammed.

Good luck!

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,Emily S
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 01:54 PM

This scam sounds like one making the rounds earlier only notched up. That scam worked by suckering a poor artist into thinking a gig was coming their way. Payment would be sent prior to the gig (how often does that happen in legitimate life??). The payment would be with a money order - one that looked real enough. It was also always more than the amount agreed on. The performer would deposit the money order - or maybe it was a cashier's check - and then the scammer would email back saying "Oops, we overpaid you. Could you send us back the difference?" The performer would return to overage and then the original check would bounce.

These are scammers of the lowest kind, preying on folks who are trying to do honest work. It's one thing to hit on someone's greed but hardworking artists have fallen for this and suffered for their honesty.

Basically, if it's too good to be true, it isn't.
Beware folks!
Emily S

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Arnie
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 11:04 AM

Well, some scams work because the old adage about a fool and his (or her) money soon being parted still holds true. I read over the weekend that an Asian lady resident here in the UK is too embarassed to admit to her family that she has just lost £500,000 to an investment scam. This is one of a few such scams springing up during the recession, promising investors huge rewards on their investments. The problem is that some people with lots of spare cash (yes, they really do exist!)have nowhere to put their money now that the various Ponzi schemes have gone belly-up and are desperately seeking a home for all their money that will pay more than the measly 2-3% currently offered by the banks. This latest one was quite a sophisticated scam, with the lady being lead on gradually over a number of months - she said that the scammers had professional looking letterheads and brochures - so she was convinced it was a genuine company!! Well, if it worked for Madoff (the clue was always in his name)then it will work for the next generation of scammers.....Think I'll stick to Premium Bonds.

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: breezy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 10:02 AM

No you have not hit the big time but you may have been hit big time.

suckered

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: GUEST,leena
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 08:56 AM

Hi Anne,

I'm working in an international schools here in Thailand. A certain Edward Alex is the one who send me an email through the email ad of [e-mail], give me your email so that I can send to you all the emails that he sent to me. now about the visa, I already send emails to a British high commission and Mr. Luis Vilora is the one who's processing my visa. This is the story, when this man is "doing the processing of my visa" he asked me to pay 30euro for the visa fee, is there a fee? second, he told me that he send the documents (visa and other papers) through the DHL and of course I give my address, and I'm living 400meters from the British council, then you know? the document was lost according to him (Luis Vilora) and the DHL staff CAN'T FIND my place. And he is asking me to pay 33euro for the damage fee! Oh my gosh! and you know what? Mr. Edward Alex told me to "please pay the amount" so that I can get my visa... i told them wait why should I pay? am i right or wrong?

Then they send a lady diplomat to talk to me and I meet her in bangkok, i told her that i"m a music teacher and what will i do? do i need to perform with my students or what coz i don't have any idea about this. I keep asking Edward Alex about this but he send me contract already.... well its a long story.....

SO, this is a scam? This is not true? I really don't have any idea about this please give me some details... and how about the other musicians? do they have the same experience as I have? They say that I will received the payment tomorrow and its wired in my bank well lets see....

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Bugsy
Date: 27 Apr 09 - 01:56 AM

I don't know if you've "hit the big time" but according to the emails I've been receiving, I've won over $450,000,000 in the last 3 weeks??

How lucky am I??

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 01:50 PM

Leena, you don't say where you're from, but if you've been booked by people you haven't known about before to play a concert in the UK for a fee of £20,000 then you must be a super star playing mainstream music. In which case you'd have played in the UK before and know the ropes about getting a work visa.
£20,000 is an enormous fee for a musician. The gig would be well publicised and you would be well taken care of by the promoters. It doesn't sound as if that's the case. If you are a superstar, then tell us your performing name and we'll all cheer from the rooftops for you! If not, call the British High Commission yourself to find out what's happening (or not) with your visa.

This is a scam. If something sounds too good to be true, then it is. If you have personal details for any of the people you mention in your post, then give them to the police where you are and tell them that they're involved in some kind of international fraud.

I've had similar correspondence twice now - read the rest of this thread and you'll see how annoyed it makes me.

Anne

Subject: RE: Have I hit the big time?
From: Peace
Date: 26 Apr 09 - 11:19 AM

New Otani Hotel LA
Los Angeles hotel reservations
Hotel Reservations - 800-916-8592


That is a toll-free number. Call the reservation desk and see whether they have a function on the days given in the letter.