The 419 Scam works in many ways. It can be through unsolicited emails or fax messages. It can also be done through crude oil and commodity deals, money cleaning, spoof banks, fake lottery or fake endorsements like employment.



Sending unsolicited letters is also known as classic 419. The messages usually contain illegal proposals or money laundering. It can be in the form of over-invoiced or double invoiced business proposals.

Crude oil and commodity deals are offered to you as goods and services. You will be buying the commodities that do not really exist. Such scam is also called Goods and Services 419.

Money cleaning is offering currency that needs to be cleaned chemically. Before the money can be used, he will get the cost of the chemical. When payment comes, he has already gone together with the money you had cleaned. This is known as the Black Currency 419.

Spoof Bank deals with a bogus bank account. Victims are fooled of being able to cash out a large sum of money after initially paying the scammer a certain fee.

The money order 419 scam deceives victims with fake large checks. On the other hand, fake lottery conveys that a person won in a certain lottery that one never joined in the first place. It lures the victim with large sums of money. These are usually passed on in emails.

Employment 419 is just like a business scam. They hire you for a job that you will never get paid for. Or they will promise employment after you pay a certain fee, but you will never get the job.

There are many more 419 scams not mentioned here. There is also an advance fee scam. You will be asked to pay your tax in advance. You will be threatened with a lawsuit if you don't comply.

Many people have fallen victims to Nigerian 419 scams. Even celebrities have been victimized at one time or another. Follow some tips to avoid being the next prey.

First, even if you are given thousands of reasons, never pay anything in advance. Pay if you already have the thing that you are paying for. Do not go for an abstract paper contract.

Be careful in using your credit cards. You might be paying for something you never purchased.

Checks are not as good as cash until you have converted them. Confer immediately with your bank before exchanging that check with goods or services. It might be a bouncing check.

Money is not easy. Don't be easily lured large sums. It must be too good to be true.

Don't trust strangers that easily. Avoid being the next victim. Read more about scams and the latest strategies that scammers do to trick people. It pays to be informed.