Trend and Emerging Types of “419” SCAMS

Abstract

Technological advancements have revolutionized various aspects of human life, facilitating communication, business operations, healthcare, education, and environmental monitoring. However, this increased reliance on technology has also led to a surge in cybercrime, including cyber scams. The "419 scam" or Nigerian scam has been a persistent problem for decades, encompassing frauds like advance fee scams, fake lotteries, and black money scams. Initially prevalent through postal mail and later via fax, the scam has now transitioned to email. This study aims to identify recent types of 419 scam emails, particularly after the covid 19 pandemic, and explore commonly used email subjects. Analysis of the sample 419 scam emails revealed trending scams like lucky winner, threat of exposure, business/partnership proposals, investment, cancer/long-term illness, fund, and compensation scams. Emerging scams included COVID-related, cryptocurrency, marketing contact, and software development scams. Irrespective of the scam type, scammers commonly employed email subjects such as 'Re', 'Good day', 'Greetings', 'Dear friend', 'Confirm', 'Attention', and 'Hello dear'. The severity of cybercrime, especially the 419 scams, cannot be overstated, as it erodes trust, causes financial losses, and hampers Nigeria's reputation and economic progress. Combatting cyber scams and enhancing cybersecurity measures are crucial to protect individuals and organizations from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. Keyword: ‘419’ scams, cybercrime, emails, cybersecurity Proceedings Citation Format Falade, P.V. (2023): Trend and Emerging Types of “419” SCAMS. Proceedings of the Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference. Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja, Nigeria. 11-12th July, 2023. Pp 105-114. https://www.csean.org.ng/. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/CSEAN-SMART2023P13