Nigerian scams, also known as "419 scams" (named after Section 419 of Nigeria's Criminal Code), have been around since the early 1980s. These scams are characterized by their rapid appearance and widespread proliferation.
Scammers often use common, generic names to appear trustworthy and blend in. They pick names that match their target’s region or culture, relying on names that are common enough not to raise suspicion. They avoid unique names that can be easily traced or unusual names that might stand out. Additionally, they often steal names from real people to enhance their credibility.
Here’s how to recognize and avoid these scams.
Common Scenarios and Names Used
If you’ve ever been on a dating app or social media, you’ve likely encountered scammers with names like Kevin Hunter, Jason Brooks, and Mark Benson. These individuals often have tragic backstories, such as being widowed single dads or lonely hearts stationed overseas. Similarly, classic “foreign prince” or “African businessman” scams may feature names like Samuel Okoye, Emmanuel Mensah, or Joseph Adeyemi.
In office settings, watch out for Thomas Sinclairs and Jonathan Hugheses who magically appear in your inbox, pretending to be your boss and requesting urgent wire transfers. These scammers exploit the panic that arises when people think their boss is giving them a direct order.
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Scammers using fake names operate across a wide range of fraud schemes, including:
- Vacation Rental Scams: Creating fake listings for vacation rental properties and asking victims to wire money or send payment outside the platform.
- Online Shopping Scams: Posting fake listings for items, collecting payment from buyers, but never delivering the promised goods.
- Scholarship Scams: Offering fake scholarship opportunities that require upfront payment.
Historically, one of the earliest and most iconic examples of Nigerian scams is the "Nigerian Prince" scheme. The scammer impersonates a member of Nigerian royalty or a high-ranking official who claims to need help transferring a large sum of money out of the country. In return for assisting with this process, the victim is promised a significant portion of the wealth. However, to help facilitate the transfer, the victim is asked to pay various fees and expenses upfront.
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Red Flags and Prevention Tips
To protect yourself, keep the following red flags in mind:
- Unsolicited Communication: Be highly skeptical of unsolicited communication that asks for money, personal, or financial information, especially if it involves an urgent or secretive request.
- Generic Names: Be wary of individuals who reach out with names that feel too generic.
- Requests for Upfront Payment: Legitimate scholarship offers don’t require upfront payment.
- Payment Outside the Platform: Victims are asked to wire money or send payment outside the platform.
Here are some steps you can take to avoid falling victim to these scams:
- Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is.
- Google the Name: If the name appears in scam reports, it’s likely fake.
- Verify Directly: Call the real company or person to confirm the request. Always verify with the company directly using official contact information.
- Never Rush: Scammers use urgency to pressure you.
- Use Reverse Image Searches: Scammers steal photos for fake profiles. Check for legitimate reviews or do a reverse image search for product photos.
- Verify Identities: Verify the identities and the legitimacy of organizations through independent channels before engaging in any financial transactions.
Scammers have perfected the art of using fake names, fake scenarios, and fake urgency to get people to hand over their money. By understanding their patterns and recognizing the red flags, you can protect yourself from falling victim to their tricks.
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Examples of Common Names Used in Scams
Here are some examples of names that have been associated with scams. This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides an idea of the types of names scammers often use:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Generic Western Names | Thomas Sinclair, Jonathan Hughes, Kevin Hunter, Jason Brooks, Mark Benson, James Smith, John Smith, Fred Peters |
| Nigerian/African Names | Samuel Okoye, Emmanuel Mensah, Joseph Adeyemi, Perry Omoh, Chinedu Ego, Nzemba Kyari |
| European Names | Elena Branco, Clifford Peterson, Maria Jose Hernandez, Sara Vandijk, Philip Jan, Naomi Vandijk |
| Titles | Dr., Engr., Col., Chief, Mrs., Mr. |
The Rise of AI in Scams
The integration of AI is turbocharging Nigerian scams. Generative AI allows scammers to create more convincing solicitations, fake profiles, and even entire online communities to deceive their victims. The very things that drive these scams-their over-the-top, AI-generated solicitation style and their aggressive volume-are backfiring to some extent. Authors who get multiple solicitations a week or even per day, all complimenting them to the skies and pushing the same book review or book club offers, the same range of marketing or “visibility” tricks, are much more likely to peg them as inauthentic.
One reason many authors are not falling for this book club scam at this time is that something still seems off. The AI generated words and images don’t feel right. I believe that’s why the scam has evolved to now invite authors into these Discord communities - it’s an attempt to convince skeptical authors. Whether this will be effective is an open question. The AI flaws that weaken the credibility of the solicitations are still going to be present in the faux communities.
Reporting Cybercrime
If you’ve been the victim of a cyberscam, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). They’ll share the information with the proper authorities and alert the public.
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