What are 419 scams?

The '419 Scam' describes a type of fraud (originally started in Nigeria) whereby a person is asked for money to help secure the release of a share / percentage of a much larger sum.

It got it's name from section 419 of the Nigerian criminal code.

Typically this type of scam promises you a generous share of millions of dollars that for one of many reasons has become 'stuck' in their country. They need to be able to transfer the money out of their country to a trusted third party (you!).

Of course they need your contact and bank account details (bad idea already!) - usually also your telephone number so they can harass you!

Then you find out that until they get this money they are broke - they need hundreds to thousands of dollars for 'administrative' expenses to get the money released.

Of couse in the end there never was any money and the hapless victin loses out by thousands! but worse still - some have been tricked into going to these countries to collect the money - only to find when they get there they are mugged or held ransom!

Many people think of this as an Internet scam when in fact the origins go back to the 1980's when the scammers would send out letters and faxes instead - the Internet and email has just made their job easier!