Analysis of 419 Scams: The Trends and New Variants in Emerging Types

Polra Victor Falade¹

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.11 , Issue.5 , pp.60-74, Oct-2023

Online published on Oct 31, 2023

Copyright © Polra Victor Falade . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
The rapid advancement of technology has brought about significant transformations in various facets of human existence, ushering in an era of improved communication, streamlined business operations, enhanced healthcare, accessible education, and efficient environmental monitoring. Nonetheless, this escalating reliance on technology has also given rise to a notable upsurge in cybercrime, with cyber scams proliferating as a concerning subset of these criminal activities. Among the enduring cyber scams, the "419 scam," colloquially known as the Nigerian scam, has persisted for decades, encompassing a spectrum of fraudulent activities such as advance fee scams, counterfeit lotteries, and black money schemes. Originally disseminated via postal mail and subsequently through fax, this fraudulent endeavour has now transitioned to email as its primary medium of operation. This research endeavour seeks to discern contemporary manifestations of 419 scam emails, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and delve into the prevalent email subjects employed in these deceptive communications. Examination of a sample of 419 scam emails has unveiled an array of trending scams, which include but are not limited to the "lucky winner," "threat of exposure," "business/partnership proposals," "investment," "cancer/long-term illness," "fund," and "compensation" scams. Concurrently, emerging scams in the post-pandemic landscape encompass COVID-related scams, cryptocurrency schemes, marketing contact swindles, and fraudulent software development offers. Irrespective of the specific scam archetype, a shared facet is the recurring utilization of specific email subjects such as `Re,` `Good day,` `Greetings,` `Dear friend,` `Confirm,` `Attention,` and `Hello dear` by these fraudulent actors. The implications of cybercrime, particularly the tenacious 419 scams, are profound, encompassing the erosion of trust, substantial financial losses incurred by individuals and organizations alike, and detriment to Nigeria`s international reputation and economic progress. Consequently, it is imperative to undertake concerted efforts to combat cyber scams and bolster cybersecurity measures. These endeavours are indispensable in safeguarding individuals and entities against the perils of these deceptive schemes, ultimately contributing to the preservation of digital integrity and security.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Scams, 419 scams, cybercrime, emails, Nigerian scams, cybersecurity

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