A Nigerian scam is a type of fraud in which a person, usually from Nigeria or another African country, contacts a potential victim by email, phone, or mail and offers them a large sum of money in exchange for a small fee or a favor. The scammer claims that the money is trapped in a bank account, a lottery, an inheritance, or some other source, and that they need the victim's help to access it.
The scammer promises to reward the victim with a percentage of the money or some other benefit. However, if the victim agrees to help, the scammer will ask them to pay various fees, taxes, bribes, or other expenses, and then disappear with the money. The victim will never receive the promised money or benefit, and may lose a lot of their own money in the process. This scam is also known as an advance fee fraud or a 419 scam, after the section of the Nigerian criminal code that prohibits it.
Signs that an email, phone call, or letter may be a Nigerian scam
- The sender claims to be a government official, a bank officer, a business executive, a lawyer, a lottery agent, a relative of a deceased person, or some other person with access to a large amount of money.
- The sender asks for the victim's personal or financial information, such as their bank account number, credit card number, password, or identification documents.
- The sender requests a small amount of money to cover some fees, taxes, legal costs, or other expenses related to the transfer of the money.
- The sender promises a large reward or benefit for the victim's cooperation, such as a percentage of the money, a donation to a charity, a business opportunity, or a romantic relationship.
- The sender usually uses poor grammar, spelling, or punctuation, or uses an unusual or unprofessional email address or phone number.
- The sender pressures the victim to act quickly, or threatens them with legal action, violence, or bad luck if they do not comply.
What to do if you receive a message that appears to be a Nigerian scam
- Do not reply to the message or provide any personal or financial information.
- Do not send any money or agree to any favors.
- Delete the message or report it as spam or phishing.
- Contact your bank, credit card company, or local authorities if you have already sent money or shared your information.
- Educate yourself and others about how to recognize and avoid Nigerian scams and other types of online fraud.
