419 scam: "External debts Management & Settlement Office (ECOWAS)""<postmaster@bigticket.ae>"@www.ingeniadirect.net DEBT SETTLEMENT.

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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:
- "dear beneficiary," (this SPAM email was probably sent to thousands of people)
- "(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.
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.
- 2348164521073
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.
- patiencedamegoodluck.presidency@presidency.com (Outblaze.com, Hong Kong; can be used from anywhere worldwide)

Fraud email example:

From: "External debts Management & Settlement Office (ECOWAS)"" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <hajaaabidah.debtsettlementoffice@r7.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:46:59 -0800
Subject: DEBT SETTLEMENT.

Dear Beneficiary,

It is obvious you have not received your money taking into account lack of awareness.Anyway, In accordance of special agreements with other Members view of joint action coming into force towards the purpose to tackle and reconcile issues of Africa continent overseas unsettled payment enhanced by the assembly of world leaders and Government of member countries has voted and issue directive to the current Chairman of African Union to look into the subject towards make sure one and all is paid.

The payment reconciliation office of, Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) on behalf of is Chairman is pleased to announce to you that your funds are available for payment by Central Bank of West African States Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) through the Federal Government Monetary regulatory channels of Nigeria.

The operation is to be monitored by the, First Lady, wife of the current president Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency; Mrs. Patience Dame Ebele Good luck Jonathan for ensuring the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation with regards your payment.

The transaction has been network and programmed by method of ATM and bank draft advance payment US$6.5 Million. In case you have not receive the ATM card and bank draft, you are kindly requested to contact Her Excellency that is in control to ensure you are paid. Here is her contact, PatienceDameGoodluck.presidency@presidency.com Telephone D/L:234-8164521073

If she doesn?t hear a word from you before the week runs out, it will be assume that you have got the ATM Card and bank draft.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you but this latest announcement shows the Government recognizes the matter and want to make sure one and all is paid to protect the image and success of ECOWAS.

Yours faithfully,

Haja Aabidah Ar-Rubayy
External debts Management
& Settlement Office (ECOWAS)

.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam