Nigerian scams involve someone overseas offering you a share in a large sum of money or a payment on the condition you help them to transfer money out of their country.
While these scams originated in Nigeria,they now come from all over the world.
How this scam works
The scammer will contact you out of the blue by email,letter,text message,or through social media.
The scammer may tell you about a large inheritance that is 'difficult to access' because of government restrictions or taxes in their country.The scammers will then offer you a large sum of money to help them transfer their personal fortune out of the country.
These scams are often known as 'Nigerian 419' scams because the first wave of them came from Naija.
The '419' part of the name comes from the section of Nigeria's criminal code which outlaws the practice.They may ask for your bank account details to 'help them transfer the money' then use this info to steal your funds.You will never be sent the money promised.
Be warned!