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What is the Nigerian eMail 419 Scam?


The "419" Nigerian eMail scam or "Advanced Fee Fraud"

Example:   [I received this in my inbox last month]




ROBERT SOLICITORS
6 Heathwood Road, Birchgrove,
Cardiff CF4 4JP,
United Kingdom.

Dear Friend,

I write to seek your cooperation as my foreign partner and your assistance to enable me to own properties and invest in the stable economy of your country. I apologize if this mail message does not suit your personal or business ethics.
My names are ROBERT JAMES KIRTON an attorney to a deceased Immigrant property magnate who was based in the U.K., Also referred to as my client.On the 25th of July 2000, my client, his wife and their two Children died in the Air France concord plane crash bound for New York in their plan for a world cruise,Since then, I have been managing his properties here in the U.K. and some of his properties, which he put out for sale. Which I monitored the payment as his attorney,has been bought and paid for. Now the money paid was deposited into his Local account here. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left
behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by his bank.
Particularly, the bank has issued me a notice to provide any of his next of kin or have the account confiscated within a short time. My late client has an account valued at 15.5 million united states dollars. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for some time now,and with the bank giving me deadline, I now seek your consent to present you as the next of kin of the deceased,so that the proceeds of this account valued at 15.5 million
dollars can be paid to you and then you, and I can share the money. 50% to me amounting to US$7,750,000.00 united states dollars and 40% for you amounting to US$6,200.000.00 united states dollars and 10% amounting to US$1,550,000.00 united states dollars for miscellaneous expenses that might arise. I have all necessary information that can be used to back up any Claim we may make.
All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Trust me, as his attorney; this is a risk-free relationship.
Send me your full names and address, telephone and fax numbers to enable us discuss further about this transaction.
A swift acknowledgement on the receipt of this mail would be appreciated.
Please reply to my confidential email: (email removed)
I remain obliged,

ROBERT JAMES KIRTON


It's the oldest scam in the books

The "oldest scam in the books" is still going on strong, and still separating people from their money today. This scam was first used in the 1920's through the postal service, became popular again in the 1980's via fax machines, and is more popular than ever via eMail.

The scam plays on peoples greed

Basically the scam goes like this: You get a letter from some high-ranking official telling a sad story of millions of dollars hidden away by corrupt government officials, or maybe by a dead relative. All the sender needs is your help to get the money. The scammer only wants %10 for his troubles, and you get to keep the rest. The scammer is more than happy to send any official (looking) documents to prove his story (all fake of course).

The scammer gains your trust

The scammer will usually open a dialog with the victim via email, telling heartbreaking stories of famine, genocide, insecticide, or whatever is necessary to make you feel sorry for him (or often, her). After gaining your trust, the scammer will get down to business.

Then comes the hook

After slowly building on the trust and greed of the victim and promising the money is almost ready to be released the scammer runs "into a problem". Usually the problem presents itself as a corrupt official that needs to be paid-off, or 'consignment' fees that must be paid. The scammer will then ask for the "small fee" of $500 - $5,000 to be immediately sent via Western Union so that the riches can be quickly released and send to the (greedy) victim. Of course, once the scammer receives his Western Union money order, he or she vanishes into cyberspace.

You would think that nobody could fall for such a scam!

But sadly so many people fall for this scam each year that it is one of the largest money-making industries in Nigeria! And, although many people say that anybody stupid enough to fall for such a scam deserves to have their money taken from them, it's a crime non-the less - and even more despicable because they prey on 'less smart' or vulnerable victims.

What to do if you get a Nigerian Scam eMail

Lot's of websites and officials have long lists of what to do or not to do if you receive this type of an eMail. My list is much more simple, and easy to remember:

  • DELETE IT

That's right - If you get one of these scam eMails, just delete it. The scammer culled your name from an email list of hundreds of thousands of emails, the scammer does not know who you are or where you live, or anything about you. Just delete the eMail and you'll never hear from them again. Although, you'll probably get more from other scammers, just exercise that delete button!

  • The 419 Coalition

  • More on 419 scams from Wikipedia

  • More examples of 419 scams
  • 419Eater.com
    419eater.com is a 'club' of people that do their best to waste the time of these scammers, get them to do ridiculous things for their money, etc. They have a hilarious list of communications between scammers and the 419-eater 'victims'. *Warning: "Scambaiting" as it is called can be dangerous! Do not attempt to 'scambait' a scammer without reading the warnings and guidelines at 419eater.com
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