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 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.

"There is a whole class of sneaky behavior that is designed to move money from one pocket to another under false pretenses. The con games are often just, greedy, and dishonest but can sometimes be clever and creative as well".

This true story was compiled from the diary of a retired World Health Organization (WHO) medical officer who is deceived and bilked out of tens of thousands of dollars by the African Nigerian scammers. The elderly doctor gets even by devising a plan that traps a scammers helper in his home and sends him to the Remand Centre in his city. Eventually the fellow is charged and sent to prison for 30 months. Upon discharge, the criminal is deported to his native land, Nigeria. During his first year after having entered Canada as a refugee, he had been charged several times for misdemeanors.

If America can be called the land of the scam, then international con artists from Nigeria are hard at work trying to catch up. Although their pitches appear flagrantly false, they take advantage of several weaknesses in human nature like pity for the poor and also an arrogance that no Nigerian could pull one over on a sophisticated American. This new book presents representative and genuine examples of the initial scam approaches, which seem to be rousing victims from the millions of targets of this vast campaign that has been going on for years while gaining in sophistication and cunning. The cases are divided into sections by type and target of the scam.

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.

This story depicts what happens when someone responds positively to any of the many Nigerian 419 Scam letters that are sent out via Post, Fax or Email. Brian Wizard volunteered to become a victim of several 419 Scams. 4-1-9 is the Nigerian criminal code for fraudulent activities. The author set two of his 419 scam contacts up for a face-to-face meeting. One in London, the other in Amsterdam. The story takes its reader down the gantlet of criminal activities that in some cases cases the target/victim to lose a lot of money, time, self-confidence, family, friends, peace of mind, and sometimes life. This is a must read story for everyone as everyone is a target of the ongoing 419 Scam industry, Nigeria's second largest industry. Brian Wizard has brought to the battlefield the ultimate weapon that in the end can defeat the ongoing success of this fraud crime wave: Education.