7 ms·
Different jurisdiction. "419" is actually the criminal code for fraud in Nigeria. Nearby countries with a significant presence of similar activity have similar
by yesbabyyes 7y ago
Different jurisdiction. "419" is actually the criminal code for fraud in Nigeria. Nearby countries with a significant presence of similar activity have similar legislation (also see the "sakawa boys" of Ghana). Naturally, collaborators in other countries such as the victim's (or "client", as they are typically referred to by 419ers themselves) would presumably be charged under local jurisdiction.
That said, some of the scams, like those common a few years ago about immense sums of cash in Afghanistan or Iraq could be viewed as less unrealistic--I mean, all of those dollars US shipped over there and "lost" must have ended up somewhere, right?
- benj111 7y agoPerhaps I should have added inverted commas to the 'Nigerian' bit also, I envisioned them getting tried in a western court.
- yesbabyyes 7y agoIn my experience, most work out of Nigeria or Ghana. One reason Nigerians tend to catch a bad rep in Gh. Perhaps other countries in the region as well. The scam is way older though, it used to be known as Spanish Letters or Spanish Prisoner in the 18th century.