419 scam: Eco Bank Plc <mbafunds@sbcglobal.net> From the Desk Of:MR OFFONG AMBAH

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "to your nominated bank account" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "diplomatic courier" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
- +2347057628525
This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ecobankremittancedepartmenttt@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: Eco Bank Plc <mbafunds@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To: ecobankremittancedepartmenttt@gmail.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:23:12 -0800 (PST)
Subject: From the Desk Of:MR OFFONG AMBAH

>From the Desk Of:MR OFFONG AMBAH
Private Email: ecobankremittancedepartmenttt@gmail.com
Private Phone Number +234-705-762-8525

Attn: Sir/Madam

This is to bring to your notice that your ATM CARD that was gazetted to be delivered to you via diplomatic courier seriver was moved back to this Eco Bank of Nigeria Plc and the Fedral Government of Nigeria has this morning mandated this Eco bank of Nigeria Plc to effect the payment in sum of $10.5m to your nominated bank account.

Be informed that we are writing to let you know that your payment is ready for transfer, you have to know that the fund will be wired to your nominated bank account via our Online Banking Payment System direct into your own bank account. I wish to let you know that the Executive Baord member's of this Eco Bank of Nigeria Plc will open an online bank account in your name for free of charge and the total approved sum $10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred United States Dollars) shall be credited into the online account and we are going to send you the online bank account information and instruction to follow in accessing the account.

Our Official GUARANTEE stands that your approved amount of US$10,500,000.00 (Ten Million Five Hundred United States Dollars) shall be effectually remitted and successfully confirmed in your bank account nominate within 84 Hours of complying with our official banking rules and regulations of payment.

Our Official GUARANTEE stands that you must receive your total approved amount of US$10,5Million successfully right in your bank account in any part of the world. Be informed that your name was stipulated under the category "A" awaiting the receipt of your payment.

Therefore, you are advised as a matter of urgency, to reconfirm the following details:

(1) Your Full Names:......................................
(2) Corresponding Address:......................................
(3) Telephone / Fax Number:.....................MOBILE PHONE:.................
(4) Occupation/Position:..................................
(5) Age/Marital Status:.........................
(6) Sex...............................

Nevertheless,if we do not hear from you within the next seven (7)working days from today, it shall attract indefinite post ponement of your payment and my government will not be blamed for such action,any question should be directed to this office.

The federal government of Nigeria is sorry for any inconvenience the delay in releasing your entitlement fund must have caused you as a result of unprofessional services rendered by the banking and financial institutes and that is our aim of objective.

Note that if you have received this message by(electronic email sending error) to your system, kindly help us by informing us to enable us sort this out as my office has been instructed by the newly inugurated Presidency to take the issues of the release of all payment owed to foreign beneficiaries upon myself in order to sanitize the good image of this country and this government will not want to leave without the settlement of all debts as agreed /endorsed by the parties involved.

If you know you are not ready to comply with our official guildline in accordance with our international payment proceedings needless to fill the above form/write back (ADVISE) .

Wishing you CONGRATULATIONS in advance as you comply.

Yours faithfully,

Mr Offong Ambah
Director:Ecobank of Nigeria Plc
Office Line: +234-705-762-8525

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam