File 030389
Email Prank Targeting Jes Staley at Barclays (File 030389)
A chronicle of a Gmail-based prank where an imposter used a fake John McFarlane email account to correspond with Barclays CEO Jes Staley following a contentious shareholders' meeting, with the prankster subsequently disclosing the exchange to the Financial Times.
Summary
On May 10, 2017, a prankster impersonated Barclays Chairman John McFarlane using a spoofed Gmail account to send emails to CEO Jes Staley following a shareholders' meeting where criticism of Staley arose. The prankster praised Staley's handling of shareholder opposition and included flattering messages referencing music and leadership qualities. Staley, believing he was communicating with McFarlane, responded with effusive gratitude and support. The exchange concluded with the prankster sending a poem with acrostic spelling 'Whistleblower.' The prankster later contacted the Financial Times to reveal the prank as part of a personal dispute with Barclays over a customer issue.
Date: Thursday, May 11 2017 08:30 PMSubject: Re: What is going on with your man Jes?From: jeffrey E. <jeeyacation@gmail.com>To: Thomas Jr., Landoni tired to call you , not for emailOn Thu, May 11, 2017 at 10:22 PM, Thomas Jr., Landon <_____________________Other stuff I am sympathetic --but to answer a random gmail email, that is not smart!How are you Trump contacts responding to Comey?On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 4:18 PM, jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:i know, everyone gets their turn in the barrelOn Thu, May 11, 2017 at 10:17 PM, Thomas Jr., Landon <wrote:> wrote:'Thanks for sharing the foxhole'Fac Lin) 4 HOURS AGO By: Kadhim Shubber, Martin Arnold6 PrintHOUSE OVERSIGHT 030389The subject of the email should have been warning enough for Jes Staley, the embattledchief executive of Barclays. At quarter to nine on Wednesday evening, after a bruisingshareholders' meeting, Mr Staley received a message purporting to be from his chairman,John McFarlane. The heading read: "The fool doth think he is wise".In fact, the message was from a prankster, using the Gmail accountjohn.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail. com. The imposter described Michael Mason-Mahon, anindividual shareholder who called for Mr Staley to resign at Wednesday's annualmeeting, "as brusque as he is ill informed" and went on to reassure the Barclays chiefexecutive that together they had successfully seen off any attempt to force Mr Staley out.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 030390"Surely the fickleminded nature of the angry few will help tie up any loose ends," the shortemail concluded. "You owe me a large Scotch."Mr Staley, who has been heavily criticised for his attempt to u n ma sk a whictlebl ower,soon replied to the prankster in effusive terms. Presumably thinking he was talking to hischairman, who has been dubbed "Mack the Knife" for his habit of ousting chief executives,Mr Staley said, "You are a unique man, Mr McFarlane"."You came to my defense today with a courage not seen in many people. How do I thankyou?" Mr Staley wrote. The 60-year-old Barclays boss continued in the same style: "Youhave a sense of what is right, and you have a sense of theatre. You mix humor with grit.Thank you John. Never underestimate my recognition of your support. And my respectfor your guile."He had time for yet more praise before he signed off. "And some day I want to see an ad libguitar run. You have all the fearlessness of Clapton," said Mr Staley, referencing thelegendary guitarist Eric Clapton and his chairman's fondness for playing his guitar inpublic meetings.The brief conversation ended with a final email around iipm. The imposter sent a poem,which began "Worry not of tomorrow's end" and ended "Revel in their bloodied eyes". Thefirst letter of each line spelled out the word `Whistleblower'."Thanks for sharing the foxhole," Mr Staley replied.The prankster, who contacted the Financial Times via Twitter, told us the email was partof his "battle with Barclays" over a customer issue. "I thought I'd see how Jes was relaxingafter his AGM," he said.Barclays declined to comment.The emails, which the FT has verified are genuine, are reproduced below.[Prankster's email]From: John McFarlane [j ohn.mcfarlane.barclays @gmail.com]Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 08:47 PM GMT Standard TimeTo: Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)Subject: The fool doth think he is wiseMason-Mahon is as brusque as he is ill informed.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 030391However I do feel we've ceased the rally for you [sic] head today.Surely the fickleminded nature of the angry few will help tie up any loose ends.You owe me a large Scotch.JohnSent from my iPhoneOn Wed, 10 May 2017 at 21:o8, Jes Staley wrote:You are a unique man, Mr McFarlane.You came to my defense today with a courage not seen in many people. How do I thankyou?You have a sense of what is right, and you have a sense of theatre. You mix humor withgrit.Thank you John. Never underestimate my recognition of your support. And my respectfor your guile.And some day I want to see an ad lib guitar run. You have all the fearlessness of Clapton.Thank you.Jes[Prankster's email]From: John McFarlane [john.mcfarlane.barclays pgmail .com]Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 09:37 PM GMT Standard TimeTo: Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)Subject: Re: The fool doth think he is wiseWhat else would Mack the Knife do but support those he can trust in!Begs the question, who should we seek to silence next!?Onward, to bigger, and better things.I may have already had a stiff one, it's been a long day, and I get no younger.HOUSE OVERSIGHT 030392Clapton has nothing on me ha!On Wed, 10 May 2017 at 21:40, Jes Staley wrote:I bet he doesn't.[Prankster's email]On Wed, 10 May 2017 at 21:45, John McFarlane <john.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail.com>wrote:In all seriousness, do let me know what fires/thorns you want me quelling over the nextfew days.It's important I stand fast, and alongside you.You have carried yourself admirably today.[Prankster's email]From: John McFarlane [john.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail.com]Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 10:43 PM GMT Standard TimeTo: Staley, Jes: Barclays (LDN)Subject: Re: The fool doth think he is wiseAs I retire for the night, I'm reminded of a poem my father was awfully fond of. It seemsvery apt.Good night, Jes.Worry not of tomorrow's endHurry not towards falling treesIgnore at once, the jesters danceSigh, oh sigh, at the folly foiledTake down the mighty route of illsLest not make a scratch in timeEvenhanded wins fair stance.Broken wooden spoons we takeLeft, oh left, in such a stateHOUSE OVERSIGHT 030393Over crests and furrowed fieldWirey talons arching backEmpty roosts the plagued aspiseRevel in their bloodied eyesWe fight on.From: Jes StaleyDate: Wed, 10 May 2017 at 22:58Subject: RE: The fool doth think he is wiseTo: <john.mcfarlane.barclays@gmail.com>Thanks for sharing the foxhole.Besttf esLandon Thomas, Jr.Financial ReporterNew York Timeshttp://topics.nytimes.com/top/ reference/timestopics/people/t /landon jr thomas/index.htmlplease noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com , anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 030394Landon Thomas, Jr.Financial ReporterNew York Timeshttp://topics.nytimes.com/top/ reference/timestopics/people/ t/landon jr thomas/index.htmlplease noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation(&,gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 030395