419 scam: "IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF US$5,500,000.00" <info@ecobank.com> RE: IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF US$5,500,000.00

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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:
- "levy " (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. )
- "to your nominated bank account" (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)
- "international remittance department" (Banks mentioned in 419 scams are always fake (real banks don't communicate using mobile phones or free webmail addresses))
- "inland revenue" (Tax offices mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. Even after you pay their fake tax demands you will still not receive the non-existent funds you have been promised. )
- "lagos" (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.
- +2348060087999 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
- +23417753597 (Nigeria, landline)

Fraud email example:

From: "IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF US$5,500,000.00" <info@ecobank.com>
Reply-To: ecobank310@gmail.com
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:20:29 -0400
Subject: RE: IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF US$5,500,000.00

INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPARTMENT
104 MARINA STREET,
LAGOS NIGERIA.

TEL: 234-80-600-87-999

FAX: 234-1- 775-35-97

Dear; BENEFICIARY,

RE: IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF US$5,500,000.00

We are pleased to inform you that the Eco Bank of Nigeria with the Nigeria
Petroleum Cooperation NNPC has approved your accrued interest of your contract
payment. Please you are advised to write a letter of authority
addressed to the
Foreign Operations Department of this bank authorizing this bank to remit the
accrued interest of US$ 5.5 MILLION.

Be further informed that a processing levy of US$280 is required to facilitate
the whole process of your transaction. This payment should be made to the
Federal Board of Inland Revenue. This measure became necessary due to the fact
that you do not operate a current or domiciliary account with our bank and as
such the above processing levy must be paid by you so as to enable us transfer
your accrued US$5,500,000.00 via key tested telex {K.T.T} It is important for
you to note that we are committed to ensuring the immediate transfer of your
accrued interest to your nominated bank account as we have put all machinery
in20place to accomplish this task Kindly comply with this directive so as to
avert any delay.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

FOREIGN PAYMENT DEPT
TEL: 234-1-775-35-97

Mr. PIUS KEN

Head, Foreign Opera
tions, ECO BANK NIG. PLC.

Directors:Alhaji Sanusi Ahmed -Chairman, Umaru Dikko-Managing Director,
Mr. V. O. Victor ?(Deputy managing Director India), Dr. Mrs. Veronica
Awosika- Company Secretary (South Africa), Mr. Alfred Adams (Head of
Foreign Operation), Alhaja H. B. Abubakar - Member,. Professor N.
Kalu-Kalu - Member.Branch Code (206)

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam