Nigeria email scam capital of the world then and now

Nigeria email scam capital of the world then and now

Nigerian email scammers, also known as 419 Scammers or Advance fee fraudsters, are individuals or

groups who engage in fraudulent activities by sending unsolicited emails to potential victims in an

attempt to obtain money or sensitive information. These scams typically involve promises of financial

gain or other rewards in exchange for upfront payments or personal information.

 

The term 419 refers to the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with fraud-related

offenses, and the scam has become associated with Nigeria due to the country’s high rate of

involvement in such schemes. However, it’s worth noting that not all Nigerian people engage in email scams, and many Nigerians have been victims of such scams themselves.

The email messages sent by these scammers often appear convincing, using official-looking logos and

language to trick victims into believing that they are dealing with a legitimate organization or individual.

However, there are usually red flags in the email, such as spelling or grammar errors, requests for

upfront payments, or vague and inconsistent details about the supposed reward or business

opportunity.

It’s important to be aware of these scams and to avoid responding to unsolicited emails from unknown

individuals or organizations, especially those that promise large sums of money or require personal

information. If you receive an email that you suspect may be a scam, it’s best to ignore it and report it to

the appropriate authorities, such as your email provider or law enforcement agencies.

Nigeria in the past is considered as the email scam capital of the world, has Nigerian position changed?

 

A Little Background Checks

 

The history of Nigerian email scammers dates back to the 1980s, when fraudsters in Nigeria began to

use fax machines and postal services to send fraudulent messages to victims overseas. These scams

typically involved promises of large sums of money in exchange for a small upfront payment or personal information.

 

In the 1990s, as the internet became more widely available, these scams shifted to email and started to

gain more widespread notoriety. Nigerian scammers began to send unsolicited emails to potential

victims, using a variety of tactics to lure them in, such as offering to share a large sum of money in

exchange for help with transferring funds out of Nigeria.

These scams became known as Nigerian 419 scams; or advance fee fraud. The term 419 has since become synonymous with the scam, and is often used to refer to any type of email scam that involves promises of financial gain or other rewards in exchange for upfront payments or personal information.

Nigerian email scammers have since become notorious around the world, with some estimates

suggesting that they generate billions of dollars in illicit profits each year. The Nigerian government has

taken steps to crack down on these scams, but they continue to persist, with scammers using

increasingly sophisticated tactics to evade detection and trick their victims.

 

Early Email scammers from Nigeria

There have been several prominent email scammers over the years, but here are a few examples of some early ones:

 

Emmanuel Nwude: In the late 1990s, Emmanuel Nwude, a Nigerian businessman and former director 

of the Union Bank of Nigeria, orchestrated a massive email scam that involved impersonating the 

governor of the Nigerian Central Bank and convincing a Brazilian bank to transfer $242 million to a 

bank account controlled by Nwude and his accomplices. The scam was eventually uncovered, and 

Nwude was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.

 

Michael Lassen: In 2002, Michael Lassen, a Danish national, was arrested in South Africa for his role 

in a large-scale email scam that involved sending fraudulent emails to victims around the world, 

promising them large sums of money in exchange for help with transferring funds out of Nigeria. 

Lassen was  eventually extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to 63 months in prison.

 

Jerry Ikogho: In 2019, Jerry Ikogho, a Nigerian man, was arrested in the United States for his role in a 

large-scale email scam that involved tricking victims into sending him and his accomplices money by

impersonating executives from companies such as Google and Facebook. Ikogho was eventually

sentenced to five years in prison. 

These are just a few examples of some early prominent email scammers. While many have been

arrested and convicted over the years, email scams continue to be a problem around the world, with

new scams and scammers emerging all the time.

The Rise of Email Scam in Nigeria

The rise of Nigerian email scammers can be attributed to a number of factors, including poverty,

unemployment, and the widespread availability of the internet. Nigeria is a country with a large

population and a high poverty rate, and many people there struggle to make ends meet. The internet

provides an opportunity for people to earn money through scams, which can be a tempting option for

those who have few other means of income.

 

Another factor that has contributed to the rise of Nigerian email scammers is the country’s reputation

for corruption. Nigeria has long been known for corruption in its government and financial systems,

which has made it easier for scammers to operate without fear of repercussions.

 

The use of email as a tool for scamming has also played a role in the rise of Nigerian email scammers.

Email allows scammers to reach a large number of potential victims quickly and easily, and it can be

difficult for law enforcement to track down scammers who operate from behind a computer screen.

 

In addition, the success of early Nigerian email scammers has inspired others to try their luck at

scamming. Many people in Nigeria and other countries have heard stories of scammers who have made

large sums of money through their scams, and this has led to an increase in the number of people

attempting to scam others online.

 

Overall, the rise of Nigerian email scammers can be attributed to a combination of economic, social, and

technological factors, and it is likely that these scams will continue to be a problem for years to come.

Type of scam Perpetrated by Nigerians

There are several types of Nigerian email scams, but here are a few of the most common:

 

Advance fee fraud: This is perhaps the most well-known type of Nigerian email scam. In an advance 

fee fraud scam, the scammer sends an unsolicited email to the victim, claiming to be a wealthy 

individual or government official from Nigeria (or another country). The scammer promises the victim 

a large sum of money in exchange for a small upfront payment or personal information.

 

Lottery scams: In a lottery scam, the scammer sends an email to the victim claiming that they have 

won a large sum of money in a lottery or sweepstakes. The victim is typically asked to pay a small 

processing fee in order to claim their prize, but the prize never materializes.

 

Business opportunity scams: In a business opportunity scam, the scammer offers the victim a chance 

to invest in a lucrative business opportunity in Nigeria (or another country). The victim is typically  

asked to pay a fee to cover expenses such as legal fees or travel costs, but the business opportunity does not actually exist.

 

Romance scams: In a romance scam, the scammer poses as a romantic partner (often using a fake 

online dating profile) and develops a relationship with the victim. The scammer then asks the victim 

for money, often claiming to be in a difficult financial situation.

 

Employment scams: In an employment scam, the scammer offers the victim a job in Nigeria (or  

another country) in exchange for a fee or personal information. The job does not actually exist, and the  

victim loses their money or becomes the victim of identity theft. 

Scammers are constantly coming up with new tactics to deceive their victims, so it’s important to be  

vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited emails or messages.

 

Nigeria has been known for many years as a country with a high number of email scams. According to

the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a division of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),

Nigeria is consistently ranked among the top countries in the world for internet fraud and scams.

 

In fact, a 2020 report by the IC3 showed that Nigeria was the third highest country in the world in terms

of the number of reported victims of internet crime, with a total of 443 reported victims. The report also

showed that Nigeria was the fifth highest country in terms of the amount of reported financial losses,

with a total of $166.7 million lost to internet crime in 2020.

 

However, it is important to note that not all email scams are perpetrated by Nigerians, and not all

Nigerians are involved in email scams. While there is a significant problem with internet fraud in 

Nigeria, it is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of economic, social, and cultural factors. It 

is important to avoid generalizing or stereotyping any particular group of people based on the actions of a few individuals.

What is the Nigerian Government stand point on Email Scam?

The Nigerian government has taken steps to combat email scams and other forms of internet fraud. In

2015, the government passed the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, which criminalizes a

wide range of cybercrimes, including email scams.

Under this law, individuals convicted of cybercrimes can face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to

25 million naira (approximately $65,000 USD). The law also provides for the seizure of assets and 

other forms of restitution for victims of cybercrime.

 

In addition to the Cybercrime Act, the Nigerian government has established several agencies and task

forces to combat cybercrime. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for example, 

is a law enforcement agency that is responsible for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, 

including internet fraud.

 

Despite these efforts, however, the Nigerian government has faced criticism for not doing enough to

combat cybercrime. Some critics argue that the government is not allocating enough resources to

combat the problem, while others point to corruption and a lack of political will as factors that are

hindering the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.

 

The Nigerian government recognizes the seriousness of the problem of email scams and other

forms of cybercrime, but there is still much work to be done to effectively combat these crimes and

protect victims.

 

What are the Worlds view on Nigeria Based on Corruption?

Nigeria has a long history of corruption, and this has led to negative perceptions of the country in the

international community. Nigeria has consistently ranked poorly in corruption rankings published by

organizations such as Transparency International.

 

In the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index, for example, Nigeria was ranked 149 out of 180 countries,

indicating that it is perceived to be highly corrupt. Corruption is seen as a major obstacle to

development and economic growth in Nigeria, and has been linked to issues such as poverty, inequality,

and insecurity.

 

The perception of Nigeria as a corrupt country has also had an impact on its relations with other

countries. Some foreign governments and companies have been hesitant to do business with Nigeria or

invest in the country due to concerns about corruption and the risks it poses to their investments.

 

However, it is important to note that corruption is a complex issue that is not unique to Nigeria. Many

other countries around the world also struggle with corruption, and Nigeria has made some progress in

recent years in addressing the problem. For example, the Nigerian government has established anti-

corruption agencies and passed laws aimed at combating corruption, although the effectiveness of

these efforts is a matter of ongoing debate.

 

What is Nigeria known for all over the World?

Nigeria is known for a variety of things all over the world. Here are some of the most notable ones:

 

Nollywood: Nigeria is home to Nollywood, the second-largest film industry in the world in terms of

production, after Bollywood. Nigerian movies are popular not just in Africa but also among the African

diaspora and beyond.

 

Music: Nigeria is a hub for African music, particularly afrobeat, a genre that blends West African rhythms

with jazz, funk, and soul. Nigerian musicians like Fela Kuti, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido are famous

worldwide.

 

Diversity: Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has over 250 ethnic groups, each with its

unique culture and traditions. This diversity makes Nigeria a fascinating place to visit and study.

 

Oil: Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa and the 12th largest in the world, with oil accounting for a

significant portion of the country’s economy.

 

Food: Nigerian cuisine is rich and diverse, with dishes like jollof rice, pounded yam, and suya gaining

popularity globally.

 

Literature: Nigeria has produced several renowned authors, including Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka,

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and many more.

 

Sports: Nigeria has produced several notable athletes, particularly in football, including Kanu Nwankwo,

Jay-Jay Okocha, and John Obi Mikel.

 

These are just a few of the things that Nigeria is known for worldwide.

Overall, Nigeria has a lot to offer, and there are many positive aspects of the country’s culture, arts, and 

society that deserve recognition.

The country Nigeria position as the email scam capital of the world has not made any significant 

improvement towards been better, but it's on a steady decline. 

Maybe in the near future, Nigerians can salvage their image and position as the email scam capital of 

the world.