October 22, 2005

419 is a Joke... Or at least a game, to the Nigerian fraudsters who flood your e-mail with countless spams. "The atmosphere of silent concentration inside the cafe is absolute, strangely reminiscent of a university library before exams. Except, that is, for the odd guffaw or cheer. The doors are locked from 10:30 p.m. until 7 a.m., so the cyber thieves can work in peace without fear of armed intruders." [Via]

"The targets are called maghas — scammer slang from a Yoruba word meaning fool, and refers to gullible white people." A fascinating look at life on the other end of the Nigerian scam. Recruits, much like their eventual victims, are drawn in with promises of "big money", which in a nation where 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, is usually in the thousands. While the con business is despised by many Nigerians, it has made an indelible impact on the modern culture, as evidenced by the music video, "I Go Chop Your Dollar", which celebrates the exploitation of Oyinbo(English/Caucasian) greed. Previous 419 post on MoFi

posted by layne, lady layne 19 years ago
  • Sorry, the "Eventual victims" link shoulda led to this: "We have confirmed losses just in the United States of over $100 million in the last 15 months," said Special Agent James Caldwell, of the Secret Service financial crimes division. "And that's just the ones we know of. We figure a lot of people don't report them." Shoulda.
  • Alright, at least it's not Canadian confidence scams in the news anymore! I got a buddy thats from nigeria, not nigerian though, they used to have to pay people to watch the truck. At least the savages are learning to use technology.
  • they deserved the Ignobel for Lit, that's for sure.
  • At least the savages are learning to use technology. Well, that was finely judged and well thought through.
  • At least the savages are learning to use technology. Well, that was finely judged and well thought through. Really, he should be up for some kind of fucking award for that one.
  • Really, he should be up for some kind of fucking award for that one. Is there a rascist idiot award?
  • Yet another example of how the invisible hand of the market takes from the dim and gives to the slightly less dim.
  • Just wait until the $100 laptops hit the African Continent.