We've all gotten them. They are emails from someone claiming to represent the heir to the fortune of a Nigerian Finance Minister or some such. All they need is a reputable person to help with the transfer of funds. You could be that reputable person. There's a substantial sum coming your way if you do.
They are so common the shorthand moniker is "419 scam" named after the section of the Nigerian law that makes the scam illegal.
Admitting that the sender is Nigerian should raise a red flag to just about anyone. So why admit it? Microsoft researchers have studied the phenomenon, and in an overly long answer say that the pool of potential victims is very small, and the scammers don't want to waste time with people who aren't gullible enough to fall for the scheme. Therefore, simply saying they are from Nigeria is the buzz phrase that will deter the skeptical. And the only people who are tempted are the really, really gullible. It's so dumb it's smart.
Links: BusinessInsider.com;
Research.Microsoft.com PDF;
via NewmarksDoor.com.
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