Nigerian 419 Fraud
AKA the Advanced Fee Scam
May 25, 2009 Christopher Pascale
Any reader who has an email account has most likely found themselves the recipient of an extremely urgent letter regarding funds that need to be moved overseas immediately. For the inconvenience of helping the desperate strangers who have but only a few days to move millions of dollars they would be the rightful owners of a generous percentage of the otherwise lost funds.
For those who fall prey to this call for help the result is the loss of thousands of dollars and possibly their life. It is called the Nigerian 419 Fraud, or the Advanced Fee Scam.
What is 419 Fraud and How Does it Work?
419 fraud obtained its name because the scam violates code 419 of the Nigerian penal code. It became popular in the 1980's when Nigeria's economy declined and foreign businessmen looking for less than scrupulous deals were in abundance.
According to ScamBusters.org this crime merits approximately 100 calls a day to the financial crimes division of the US Secret Service. It most often targets small businesses and charities by way of an unsolicited letter or email that is supposedly from a Nigerian government official. The letter will state the person's senior position as well as the desire to deposit funds that have been unaccounted for.
In a hypothetical version of this scam Mr. Nigeria, in his hour of need, has contacted Mr. NonProfit. The recipient, who had been praying for a miracle, be it by divinity or lottery, comes to believe that this is the answer he has been looking for. He replies that he will be able to help Mr. Nigeria transfer the $8 million that only has a lifespan of 48 hours on the continent of Africa.
In exchange, Mr. NonProfit will receive $1.5 million for all of his trouble.
A meeting is arranged and the victim is usually lured to the scammer at his own expense. Once Mr. NonProfit has made his way to his initial meeting with a “very important government official” he finds that something has come up and he must help them cover an unforeseen expense. In this hypothetical case Mr. Nigeria has regrettably found that they need $1,200 dollars in order to transfer the money because another person has found out about it and is threatening to blow the whistle.
Mr. NonProfit provides the money and is then told that they will meet again the next day where he is asked for more funds. This is where the term advanced fee scam comes from. The victim believes that he will receive the money after providing a small fee in advance.
Who Would Fall for a 419 Scam?
One might believe that someone would have to be less than intelligent to fall for this. It could also appeal to people with few options. This is where it is important to note that some victims' high profile and intelligence may be the very thing that solidifies their belief in such a scam. Stepping out of hypothetical situations, and moving into reality Congressman Edward Mezvinsky (D) IA comes into the picture.
Advance Fee After Advance Fee
According to his biography, Edward Mezvinsky served two terms in the US Congress from 1973-1977. Prior to this he had briefly practiced law following his graduation from the University of California-Berkeley. He was educated, successful, and following his short lived career as a US Representative Mezvinsky ran for several other major offices including US Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General.
But over several decades he became what one prosecutor referred to as a "one man crime wave." Over the course of nearly two decades Mezvinsky repeatedly traveled to Nigeria, often borrowing money from friends and relatives to fund him through his necessary expenses.
ABC News reported on July 30, 2007 that he had lost more than $3 million, and in 2001 was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
419 Scam in Pop Culture
A fraud this rampant cannot escape the free publicity of television sitcoms.
In season 2 of the hit television series The Office, main character Michael Scott (played by Steve Carrel) holds a special meeting with his employees to tell them how he "met a man that drives a Corvette" who taught him that pre-paid phone cards are the future of the new economy. When confronted about a recent investment he had lost money on, Scott fires back that "when the Prince of Nigeria contacts you directly, you don't ask questions; you help where you can."
It's funny because it's true.
Scammed by 419 Fraud
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