419 scam: "Ecobank Togo"<ecobktogo@gmail.com> Re: Your Relationship Is Important To Us

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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:
- "account opening" (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)
- "(ecowas)" (the name of a person or institution often appearing in 419 scams)
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "Ecobank Togo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <ecobanktg@excite.co.jp>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:41:00 -0700
Subject: Re: Your Relationship Is Important To Us

Dear Valued Customer,
Attn: Mr./Mrs.,

We want to take a moment to tell you a bit about what's been going on behind the scenes at the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) meetings. In the last couple of months all the banks regional head offices held several meetings and devoted a ton of time and resources toward the immediate payment of your pro-longed inheritance/contract funds value $3,500,000.00. We know this may not be completely strange to you, but it's these types of projects that enable us to be in a great position to serve your needs - now and in the future.

Our mission has always been to provide you with the best overall user experience when transacting with us and we know that you expect a service that is always reliable and secure. So thanks for being patient with us while we tackle these issues. We're really excited about the position we're currently in and guarantee we can continue to support your needs.

We value your relationship with us and remain committed to improving your banking experience by prioritizing innovation and excellence in service delivery, thereby making banking simple and more straightforward for you. We would like to encourage you to take immediate advantage of our secure and reliable online account services available 24/7; giving you control over how and when to transfer your funds to your local bank account or any other bank account of your choice. Our online banking channels are safe, convenient and easy to use. You can check your account balance, transfer funds, pay bills, purchase airtime and manage your accounts 24/7, giving you control over how and when you bank.

To ensure the smooth transfer of your funds amount $3,500,000.00, we encourage you to enroll for your online account opening.

Our Relationship Management Team is on hand to put you through this process and after.

Since we have decided to bring a lasting solution to your worries about your payment, you are hereby required to take urgent advantage of this kind gesture we extended to you by indicating your interest in our online account services and we would be reaching you with the application.

We expect you expedite action in this transaction to enable us serve you in a timely fashion as assigned. Your speedy reply is urgently awaited please!. Thank you for banking with us.

Yours Sincerely
Mrs. Cecilia Grace
For: Administrative Manager
Ecobank – Lome, Togo
#20, Av. Sylvanus Olympio
BP 3302 Lomé – Togo
Office #: (+228) 984 48397
Mobile #: (+228) 960 21649
Website: www.ecobank.com

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam