419 scam: "Dr. DONALD EBI" <info@ecobankplc-benin.org> Your compensation...

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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:

An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dumorrage" (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. )
- "courier company" (Courier companies mentioned in 419 scams are always fake. They will have you send money to them, but won't deliver anything. )
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "certified bank draft" (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
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.
- joshpaul2832@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)

Fraud email example:

From: "Dr. DONALD EBI" <info@ecobankplc-benin.org>
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:26:38 +0100
Subject: Your compensation...

--
Dear Partner,

Good day, I pray this wonderful message meets you in good condition; I
am Dr. Donald Ebi, the banker who contacted you few months ago
concerning an inheritance claim linked to your family name. If you can
remember vividly, I stated the deceased account was valued US$21.7
Million.

Well, irrespective of the fact that we were unable to claim the funds as
at that time due to some bottlenecks, I later found a trustworthy
business man from Malaysia, who was financially alright, with his help
we succeeded in moving the funds out of Benin Republic. As I speak to
you I am with my new partner in his country planning for further
business projects for the year 2015.

My main reason for contacting you is this. I have decided not to be
greedy, therefore I have mapped out US$1.500, 000.00 for your past
effort and because of your family name. Please accept this from the
bottom of my heart. You have to contact Mr. Josh Paul, a pastor in my
Ministry; he knows nothing about the business please take note. But he
is a good friend of mine. The check is in your name,so he can not do
anything with it while in his custody. Contact him immediately with your
address and telephone number and he will help you send it by courier.
When you receive it, take it to any bank where you have an account and
the check will clear in 5 banking days. It is legitimate, an
international approved certified bank draft.

Please be informed that I have insured the check and paid for the VAT,
all that is left is the delivery fee which is US$165 only. The courier
company refused to accept the delivery fee because they do not allow
parcels on dumorrage, so I did not pay for the delivery, am sure you can
take care of that. Do not request him to pay the delivery fee because he
knows nothing about my business dealings.

CONTACT PERSON:

_Mr. Josh Paul._

_City: Cotonou_

_Country: Benin Republic._

E-mail: joshpaul2832@gmail.com

Let me know when you have the funds in your hand so we can rejoice
together. Thank you and God bless.

YOURS SINCERELY,

DR. DONALD EBI.

Anti-fraud resources:

What can you do when you receive 419 spam