They're really from Nigeria (and other countries in Africa, but primarily Nigeria). They're known as '419 scams' there, after the section of the Nigerian crimi

They're really from Nigeria (and other countries in Africa, but primarily Nigeria). They're known as '419 scams' there, after the section of the Nigerian criminal code that deals with advance-fee fraud. This sort of fraud isn't something everyone does, but everyone's aware of it - it's certainly a part of popular culture. For example, see the song 'I Go Chop Your Dollar', performed by a popular Nigerian actor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1nKR3gYRY8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1nKR3gYRY8