419 scam: "ECO BANK BENIN"<ayane_ks_d@yahoo.co.jp> REF: DEAR ESTEEMED CUSTOMER

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
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 fake company names, fake addresses, non-existent institutions/documents or other details have appeared in scams before:
- "diplomatic immunity"
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "mtcn" (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. )
- "transfer of your funds" (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 immunity" ("diplomats" who perform deliveries of cash or other valuables to you only exist in 419 scams)
- "courier service" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "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.
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.
- +22999355673 (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.
- ecobank_plc@inbox.ru (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "ECO BANK BENIN" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ecobank_plc@inbox.ru>
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2015 10:45:27 +0200
Subject: REF: DEAR ESTEEMED CUSTOMER

ECO BANK OF BENIN REPUBLIC CORPORATE OFFICE
HEADQUARTERS 12 EZE OKOLI STREET COTONOU
OUR REF:CBD/IRU/SFE/15.5/WD/015
COTONOU,BENIN REPUBLIC
8 A.M.-9 P.M. EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME(EDT)
EMAIL: ecobank_plc@inbox.ru
TELEPHONE: +229 99355673

DEAR ESTEEMED CUSTOMER,

ACCORDING TO THE RECORD WE GOT FROM AFRICA DUE TO YOUR INABILITY TO COMPLETE THE TRANSACTION AND YOUR FAILURE TO MEET UP WITH A MINOR PAYMENT OBLIGATION. THE ACTUAL TRANSFER OF YOUR FUNDS(10,500,000.00) INTO THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT COMES UP NEXT WEEK.

THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE UAE TREASURER,MRS.ROSA GUMATAOTAO RIOS THAT ALL UNCLAIMED FUNDS SHOULD BE PAID INTO THE UNITED ARAB EMERITE TREASURY ACCOUNT AS UNSERVICEABLE FUNDS IN COMPLIANCE TO SECTION 3 SUBSECTION.

THE UNITED ARAB EMERITE GOVERNMENT (UAE) FINANCIAL LAW ENACTED IN 2001 AFTER AN ATTACK ON OUR DEAR COUNTRY ON SEPTEMBER 11,2001. OFFICIAL BANKERS FOR THE UNITED EMIRATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT AC NO: 68302345093 ROUTING NO:021109593 ACCOUNT NAME:UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT,USA. NOTE THAT IF YOU STILL WISH TO RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS VIA ATM OR BANK TRANSFER DO GET BACK TO US IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE WILL REMOVE YOUR FUND FROM THE LIST OF THOSE TRANSACTIONS TO BE SEIZED BY THE UNITED ARABIA EMIRATE GOVERNMENT.

CHOOSE FROM THE ABOVE OPTION OF PAYMENT.

1) WE NEED ONLY A DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY SEAL OF TRANSFER(DIST) TO COMPLETE THE WIRE TRANSFER.THE FEE TO OBTAIN THE SEAL WILL COST $98

2) WE NEED COURIER SERVICE DELIVERY FEE CHARGE OF $98. YOU'LL RECEIVE YOUR TRACKING NUMBER IMMEDIATELY AND IT WILL TAKE 24HOURS TO DELIVER TO YOUR HOME ADDRESS AFTER THE FEE IS PAYED.NO OTHER HIDDEN CHARGES FEE IS INVOLVED. LET ME KNOW YOUR CHOICE N/B MAKE SURE YOU SEND YOUR FULL INFORMATION INCLUDING YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR FULL ADDRESS FOR THE TRANSACTION.

YOUR FULL NAME:__________________
YOUR HOUSE ADDRESS:______________
YOUR HOUSE PHONE:____________
YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER:______________
NATIONALITY:_____________________
YOUR OCCUPATION:_______________

WE WILL TRANSFER YOUR FUNDS (10,500,000.00) BEFORE WE CLOSE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY WE RECEIVE THE MTCN FROM YOU AND THE FUNDS WILL REFLECT 3HOURS AFTER THE TRANSFER. WE WILL SEND YOU ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO ENABLE YOU START MAKING FUND WITHDRAWALS FROM YOUR ACCOUNT/ATM CARD SAME DAY. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOUR BANKING NEEDS.

YOUR RESPONSE IS HIGHLY NEEDED,
LAWRENCE AKORAH
ECO BANK OF BENIN REPUBLIC CORPORATE OFFICE
OUR REF:CBD/IRU/SFE/15.5/WD/015
COTONOU,BENIN REPUBLIC

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam