419 scam: "Mr. Micheal Alfred"<wanda@net-uno.net> Dear Customer,1

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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:
- "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
- "ecowas " (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "info@ecowasbankofafricaplc.tk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- "info@ecowasbankplc.tk" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
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.
- +2292012324 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "Mr. Micheal Alfred" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@ecowasbankofafricaplc.tk>
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2012 01:15:03 +0200
Subject: Dear Customer,1

Ecowas Bank OF AFRICA PLC
Physical address:
C/60 Ecowas road,
Jonqueet Cotonou Repubique Du Benin
Email:info@ecowasbankofafricaplc.tk
Email:info@ecowasbankplc.tk
Fax: +229-2012324
Dr Alexandra Green
Director Online Operation Department Ecowas Bank Plc

Attention:

This is in respect to the earlier order of International Monetary Fund (IMF), which refer your transaction file of total sum of Telve Million Unite State dollars, to this honorable desk of ECOWAS ONLINE BANKING SECTOR for online deposit of your total sum.

However, online account is to be approved in your favor for immediate deposit of the total sum,we will require below information from you for installment of your online account and to effect deposit of the total sum.

First/Surname:*:---------------
State of Origin*:---------------
Nationality*:---------------
Passport No*:---------------
National ID Card NO.*:---------------
Phone Number*:---------------
Fax Number*:---------------
Cell / Mobile No.*:---------------
Marital Status*:---------------
Gender*:---------------
Birthday*:---------------
Indicate Your Address*:---------

Residential Address
City*:---------------
State*:---------------
Country*:---------------
Zip / Postal Code*:---------------
Office Address*:---------------
Email Address*:---------------

Existing Account At Place of Residence
Account Name*:---------------
Account Number*:---------------
Bank Name*:---------------
City*:---------------
State*:---------------
Country*:---------------
Zip / Postal Code*:--------------
Preferred Currency For Account*:--------

Be inform that on receipt of the above information's we will install your account and effect deposit of the approved sum and as well release your online account login data's, while you will receive your online transfer pin code after activation of the online transfer pin code.As that will firm your immunity for money transfer online from your ECOWAS BANK ONLINE ACCOUNT TO ANY BANK ACCOUNT OF YOUR CHOICE NATIONAL WIDE.

Looking forward to acknowledge your urgent reply

Dr Alexandra Green
(Director Online Operation Department Ecowas Bank Of Africa Plc)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam