419 scam: "John Race" <uba.bank99@yahoo.fr> FROM ECO BANK COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN,

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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:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
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.
- +22998582119 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)
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.
- eco.bank288@superposta.com (Superposta; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "John Race" <uba.bank99@yahoo.fr>
Reply-To: john.race@superposta.com
Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:39:38 -0400
Subject: FROM ECO BANK COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN,

FROM ECO BANK COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN,
MR JOHN RACE, DIRECTOR GENERAL
TELEPHONE NUMBER(+229 98582119)
COTONOU REPUBLIC OF BENIN: NO:171 AKIL ROAD

Attention Please

Honestly I am just disappointed at your behavior because you know that I am
man of God and cannot deceive you. just pay the $37.00 and leave me and my God
because God is watching me if I am telling you lies. I know it is because of
your past experience that make you not to believe me but I told you before my
God who is my witness that I cannot deceive you because my bible says what
shall it profit a man to gain material things and loose your soul. I told you
earlier just drop your old experience and follow my instruction as a man of
God and you will know what it means to follow somebody that fear God.

I swear that. if I fail to deliver you ATM CARD within 48hours after you send
the $37.00 just stop responding to my email and consider me as scammer okay I
promise, I cannot fail you, I promise you. don’t fear as soon as you sent the
$37.00 today please leave the rest for me and see if I am lie to you or not
because I can not use my life swear because of $37.00, How can I swear against
my life because of this small amount, but is to show you that I am telling you
the truth. so please try to understand me this $37.00 is big amount but is too
small for the amount you have to receive within 48hours okay.

Here is the information to use send the money so that we will complete the
matter once and for all.$37,only no more payment I swear to God and your ATM
CARD will leave immediately i receive payment here okay. I here by giving you
100%Assurance that your ATM CARD is valid and you can start using it once the
card is arriving.

Here is the information to make the payment through western union money
transfer below:

RECEIVE NAME:::::::::::::::MR OKECHUKWU CHIBIKE
COUNTRY:::::::::::::::BENIN REPUBLIC
CITY:::::::::::::::COTONOU
TEXT QUESTION::::::;; BELIEVE
ANSWER::::::::::::: MY WORD
Amount:::::::::::::::$37.00

I am looking forward to hear from you right now and know what is holding you
not to make the payment as you said because I hate any thing promise and fail
please if you still need your ATM CARD I advise you to send the money
immediately before you get back to me with payment information.

It is my pleasure to inform you that ATM Card Number; 4236968976456364 have
been approved in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is
2421.contact us with Email address: (eco.bank288@superposta.com) or call me
at (+229 98582119) If you have any Question, I am waiting to hear from you
once again with good news as you can see that i am very happy now.

God bless you.

FROM ECO BANK REPUBLIC OF BENIN
MR JOHN RACE DIRECTOR GENERAL
TELEPHONE NUMBER (+229 98582119)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam