419 scam: "ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC" <info@ecobank.org> URGENT FROM ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC (INHERITANCE/PAYMENT CONFIRMATION)

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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:
- "bank charges " (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. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.

Fraud email example:

From: "ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC" <info@ecobank.org>
Reply-To: akujibril1540@hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:08:59 +0300
Subject: URGENT FROM ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC (INHERITANCE/PAYMENT CONFIRMATION)

Attn: Beneficiary

I am Aku Jibril, Deputy Manager, Foreign Operations of Eco Bank Nigeria Plc.

There was a man that came into our bank with an obituary telling us that
you are dead and that before your death, you used him as your next of kin.

He has already paid all the bank charges accrued. Why we are contacting
you is that the man was asked to show the proof of ownership, but he
declined to do so. Kindly call us with the phone number below so we know
if you are the rightful owner of the fund.

The only two things left now is this Proof of Ownership and Release Order
fee of $240,This is the only thing left. He even gave us an account from
Wells Fargo Bank, United States as where the fund will be transferred to.
The account number is as follows:

Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank, New York
Account Name: Edmund Benecker
Account Number: 152107711
Routing: 314074269

Sincerely,
Aku Jibril
Tel: +2349026276537

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam