Spam, scams and shams.. Nigerian Scam

A guide to understanding Nigerian scams

Author:  Paul Landers

The World Wide Web is full of tricksters and scammers. There are many scams and shams that have helped unsuspecting people part with their hard-earned money. One such scam, the Nigerian scam (also known as the Nigerian Letter or 419 scam) has gotten away with possibly millions of dollars. Its victims have included businessmen and lawyers. There are variations of the scam but as a general rule here's how it goes:

A spam email is sent to thousands (or millions) of recipients. The email claims to be from someone important in a foreign country who needs help to get (usually) millions of dollars out of that country. There's usually a well thought-out story that goes with it to ensure that it all seems legitimate. The email usually says that, if you help, you can have a significant share of that money (your share would typically amount to millions). For the unsuspecting individual who tries to find out more, there's usually a complete organisation behind the scam - telephone numbers are answered by the (seemingly) right people, addresses appear to be legitimate, documents have (seemingly) official logos and stamps, etc.

Once you respond to the email you're dragged into a web of deceipt, trickery and danger. You're asked to part with increasing amounts of money - all seemingly for legitimate reasons - to process paperwork, to bribe officials, to buy information, the list is endless. The entire scam is usually so well thought-out that while you're in it, it's difficult to quit. It's a little like a gambler and a gaming machine - the next coin might win the jackpot - and that's what the scam-artists rely on - your reluctance to quit after you've started. Of course there's no money at the end and people only realise that after they've parted with thousands. Some have parted with significantly more.

Some of the scams go to the extreme of asking individuals to meet in neutral countries. At these meetings they've been further scammed by smooth-talking individuals. Other individuals have even accepted offers to go to Nigeria to "meet" the rich person wanting to smuggle out their money. Once there, victims have been held hostage, or held to ransom with an invalid visa. There are even reports of violence and murder.

In Nigeria, there are reportedly Internet Cafes that specialise in providing working facilities for the scam artists. The Cafes provide them with all of the computer equipment and anonimity to work undisturbed and undetected. It is also believed that a number of Nigerian government officials have been involved in providing "official" documentation to assist the legitimacy of the scam artists.

While originating in Nigeria, the scam has also been run from other countries. It is referred to as a "419 Scam" because the Nigerian Criminal Code, Article 419, deals with Obtaining Property Using False Pretences.

If you ever receive an email offer that seems too good to be true - it probably is.