Lagos Nigeria scams aka 419 scams are advanced fee frauds or other scams mostly confidence tricks played against unsuspecting people commonly called by a number of names; JJC which stands for Jolly Just Come (a term used to describe naïve and inexperienced people) or mugus (Suckers or fools) or simply the mark.

The term Lagos Nigeria scam is a misnomer as it practically applies to all countries of the world. Most of these scams originated elsewhere but were picked up and used widely by some Nigerians. Scams are not as widespread in Lagos Nigeria as one is made to believe by western media. However for sake of this article it will be known by that name.

Lagos Nigeria scams include; black money scams, lottery scams, phishing, chat room love scams, advanced fee fraud, internet business scams and corporate impersonations.

Typically, this type of scams involve an individual or group (the syndicate) making a false claim about a person’s (front) achievement or about a non-existing attractive reward and often requires that the said victim trusts those claims usually by appealing to the emotional weaknesses of the victim. Those weaknesses are mainly greed, ignorance and fear but could also include sympathy, affection and misguided honesty.

Depending on whom and where the scams are targeted at, there are two classes of these scams; electronic based scams (E-mail Advanced fee frauds, phishing, promotional winnings prize scam and chat room scams) in which the fraudsters are faceless and distant people hoping to get a random sucker. There is also the person-to-person, face-to-face scam in which the fraudsters come out boldly to make their open claims an example is the real estate scam. The latter is usually targeted at specific individuals who can be traced and monitored although this is not always the case. Then a variation of these two classes of scams leads to a third class in which the scammers may or may not be faceless and in which the victim may or may not be known or monitored.

Examples of Lagos Nigeria Scams

An example of a Lagos Nigeria scam is the winnings or promotional prize winning scam in which a random SMS is sent to the phone of a would be victim congratulating him/her for winning the grand prize in a legitimate company’s consumer promo . The scammers often times request their victims to contact a particular person by phone. Eventually, the would-be victim is asked to part with some money in the form of recharge/phone call vouchers after which the scammers break-off communication or continue to demand for more payment.

Another scam is the real estate scam in which the scammers portray themselves as agents to landlords. They aim at unsuspecting tenement seekers hoping that not being thorough enough in their investigation, they could be swindled. These fraudsters will not stop at anything to trick you. Some will go to the extent of bribing security guards in some of the houses being inspected to create the impression that they have access to the whole house and hence are genuine agents.

There is also the visa scam in which unsuspecting members of the public are promised entry into western countries and other economically successful places especially Canada and Australia upon purchase and completion of a form which most times is unconnected to genuine travel and immigration opportunities in the said countries. There will never be any successful applicant from such immigration programs order than those hired to make false claims by the fraudsters.

In the past, the e-mail based 419 scams were notorious for the economic and social hardships they created for many people abroad. However, this scam is not very much in use by scammers these days because information has reached far and wide about them. However, some scammers are still involved in it. If you ever receive an e-mail from anyone claiming to have a large amount of money trapped somewhere and soliciting your help in retrieving it that is an example of an e-mail 419 scam. Eventually, you will be asked to part with some money to cover certain ‘costs’ which is the fee the fraudsters are out to get.

How to identify a scam

There are many more Lagos Nigeria scams but these are the most common types. But regardless of their form or variation, all scams involve someone or a group making empty claims about an attractive reward waiting to be received but only if you part with money or valuables. Always note that any serious attempt to verify those claims will always be frustrated.

The scams could also prey on your good nature especially if you are sympathetic or affectionate. By claiming that a loved one is in danger of being hurt, they hope you will feel pity and regret and do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation (most times that remedy is in financial terms). This method is common in the love or romance scams.

Warning against scammers

Scammers cannot be identified by their nationality, tribe or race. They however can be identified by their behavior and habits which tells you who they really are, Scum. They are highly unproductive, lazy, over ambitious and determined to acquire material things. Most scammers are manipulative and parasitic in behaivour.

Never trust anyone unless you have tried and tested him/her and found him/her trust worthy and god fearing. Most scammers are real scum with no marketable skills and a history of anti-social behaviours. Don’t be surprised if they are ready to kill a man for a few cents, because they are real moral filths. Don’t feel sorry for them whenever they are caught as they can manipulate human feelings to their advantage. Most scammers are unrepentant crooks.