419 scam: "ECOWAS GIABA"<percy@percy.com> Re: Your Instant Attention!!!

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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:
- "money laundering" ("anti-terrorist", "anti-money laundering" or "drug-free" certificates are a common way for criminals in fake lottery scams and other Advance Fee scams to get you to send money to them. There are no such certificates in the real banking world. )
- "power of attorney" (with your bank details and a power of attorney form criminals sometimes empty bank accounts)
- "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.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "ECOWAS GIABA" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <info@pfa.ps>
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 02:52:49 -0800
Subject: Re: Your Instant Attention!!!

INTER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION

GROUP AGAINST MONEY

LAUNDERING IN WEST AFRICA

(GIABA)

GIABA/FUNDRELEASEPLAN/066/Vo.VV/004 Cotonou 23th December 2014

Fund Release by the recommendation of IMF and the World Bank plan-someone Cotonou R. Benin 25-26 November 2013

The above named group has commenced the seizure of incoming and outgoing funds in the sub- region since January 2014 due to the high rate of corruption and Terrorism. After the intervention of the World Bank and the IMF questioning our resolution, the board has decided to release some of these funds to the owners.

After running proper investigation on them, you are lucky to be among the selected few to have your fund released. While processing the transfer of this fund, we received some documents tendered by your Representative Mr. John Williams, and your Attorney G. ELIAS & CO (Solicitors and advocates) claiming ownership.

They have presented a "Power of Attorney" duly signed by you in which was clearly stated that your contract/inheritance fund seized by this commission should be paid to them. They further stated that due to certain prevailing circumstances beyond your control, thus appointing them to act on your behalf.

We await your consent please.

Abdullahi SHEHU

Director General

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam