The so-called ‘419’ scam (aka ‘Nigeria scam’ or ‘West African’ scam) is a type of fraud named after an article of the Nigerian penal code under which it is prosecuted. It is also known as ‘Advance Fee Fraud’ because the common principle of the entire scam format is to get the victim to send cash (or other items of value) upfront by promising them a large amount of money that they would receive later if they cooperate.
If a victim makes the payment, the fraudster either invents a series of further fees for the victim, or simply disappears.
There are many variations on this type of scam, including the 419 scam, the Spanish Prisoner scam, the black money scam and the Detroit-Buffalo scam. The scam has been used with fax and traditional mail, and is now prevalent in online communications like emails.
Online versions of the scam originate primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom and Nigeria, with Ivory Coast, Togo, South Africa, Benin, the Netherlands, and Spain also having high incidences of such fraud. The scam messages often claim to originate in Nigeria, but usually this is not true. The number “419” refers to the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud, the charges and penalties for offenders.
4-1-9 Schemes frequently use the following tactics:
* An individual or company receives a letter or fax from an alleged ‘official’ representing a foreign government or agency.
* An offer is made to transfer millions of dollars in “over invoiced contract” funds into your personal bank account.
* You are encouraged to travel overseas to complete the transaction.
* You are requested to provide blank company letterhead forms, banking account information, telephone/fax numbers.
* You receive numerous documents with official looking stamps, seals and logo testifying to the authenticity of the proposal.
* Eventually you must provide up-front or advance fees for various taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees or bribes.
* Other forms of 4-1-9 schemes include: c.o.d. of goods or services, real estate ventures, purchases of crude oil at reduced prices, beneficiary of a will, recipient of an award and paper currency conversion.
