Advance Fee Fraud

The various forms of "Advance Fee Fraud" make up a five-billion-US-dollar (1996 figures, now much more) worldwide scam, which has run since the early 1980s under successive governments of Nigeria. It is generally referred to as "419 Fraud" (Four-One-Nine) or "The Nigerian Connection." This book describes the problem, its origins, extent and various permutations. I have drawn on my own experiences of being defrauded by "419 scammers", as well as those of other such victims. Hopefully it will prevent others from becoming embroiled in these scams. The Advance Fee Fraud is perpetrated by enticing the victim with a bogus "business" proposal which promises millions of US dollars as a reward. Most of these scams involve requests to help move large sums of money from one part of the world to another, with the promise of a substantial share of the cash in return.

The "419" scam is an aspect of transnational financial crime with a 'modus operandi' peculiar to the Nigerian swindler. The most recurrent type of transnational "419" scam is the "advance fee fraud". It is usually introduced in the form of a business contract, a transfer of stolen money or money from over-invoiced contract, the purchase of crude oil from Nigeria at a relatively cheap rate, and transfer of money left by a deceased person (will scam). In all situations, the victim is eventually lured into an endless period of advance fee payment. The "black money" scam is almost as popular as the advance fee fraud and is sometimes, practiced in continuation of advance fee scam. The victim is introduced to a large sum of money that needs to be cleaned by a special liquid solution. The victim parts with money upon the supposition that the black money would be cleaned and given to him. The con man gets away with the victim's money leaving him with a bunch of worthless papers. The 419 Scam business is not restricted to defrauding foreigners. There are two groups of con men in Nigeria: The local and the International "419ners". The local groups specialize in defrauding Nigerians while the more advanced International syndicates fish out victims from Europe, America, Asia and South Africa. The local ones eventually grow to international status after they have made enough money to acquire computers, facsimile and telephone lines and other gadgets necessary for the scam business. "Tive's insight of the perpetrators behind the advance fee fraud coupled with his knowledge on the topic show that he is a true authority on the subject."- Ralph A. Gonzales, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Secret Service "This book by Charles Tive is an excellent portrayal of the 419 scam, its operators, and its basic operations."-Gary M. Gibson, Regional Security Officer, U.S. Consulate Lagos. ".is a scholarly but readable summary of the history of and methods used by Nigerian scam / 419 operations."-The 419 Coalition, USA.

The Canadian edition of The Little Black Book of Scams is a compact and easy to use reference guide filled with information Canadians can use to protect themselves against a variety of common scams. It debunks common myths about scams, provides contact information for reporting a scam to the correct authority, and offers a step-by-step guide for scam victims to reduce their losses and avoid becoming repeat victims. Consumers and businesses can consult The Little Black Book of Scams to avoid falling victim to social media and mobile phone scams, fake charities and lotteries, dating and romance scams, and many other schemes used to defraud Canadians of their money and personal information.

If you've ever received an e-mail from a displaced political refugee requesting your help with depositing a substantial amount of money into your bank account, then you've been the target of advance fee fraud. Commonly referred to as 419, this scam is named after the Nigerian criminal code that defines it and its penalties. But what began in Nigeria has now become a global epidemic. Concerned Nigerian native Chidi Igwe analyzes 419 from a historical, political, and economic perspective in an impassioned effort to raise public awareness about the scandal that has tainted his country. Delving into the origin and propagation of 419, Igwe presents candid interviews and detailed accounts of people intimately involved with the 419 community-from the victims to the operators themselves. Igwe also discusses the different variations of 419, the failure of Nigerian law enforcement to contain the outbreak, the effects of advance fee fraud on other countries' economies, and how to avoid becoming a 419 victim. More than a guide to understanding advance fee fraud and how to protect oneself against it, this is also a call to arms for a worldwide cooperative mission to eliminate the scam and eradicate Nigeria of the taint of 419.