Definition of Nigerian Scam - Business Software Alliance

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Nigerian Scam

Also Known As:
419 Fraud, Advance Fee Fraud, Four-One-Nine (after the relevant section of the Criminal Code of Nigeria), and The Nigerian Connection.

Description:
419 Fraud involves an unsolicited email message, purportedly from Nigeria or another African nation, in which the sender dangles the promise of a huge sum of money to the email recipient. To earn this money, the recipient is asked to pay an advance fee or provide identity, credit card or bank account information. There are uncounted variations on these tales from crude oil and other commodity deals to unclaimed bequests.

How to Recognize This Threat:
Unsolicited email messages from a stranger who promises great wealth - a "get-rich" scheme.

What Should I Do:
Do not respond. Never send a check or reveal identity, credit card, or bank account numbers. If you are so inclined, forward the message to the United States Secret Service 419.fcd@usss.treas.gov. U.S. citizens and residents who have responded to this scam and have consequently suffered a financial loss are instructed to telephone the nearest Field Office of the United States Secret Service (USSS).

» Nigerian scam example 1

» Nigerian scam example 2

Adware
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Bots & Botnets
	Hackers use bot programs for theft, fraud, and denial-of-service attacks on Web sites
Browser Highjacking
	Malware used by hackers to direct your computer to their websites, regardless of the address you entered.
Cookies
	A Web page that welcomes you by name uses cookies
Counterfeit Products
	Businesses rely on what is called a digital signature to recognize their customers
Digital Signatures
	Businesses rely on what is called a digital signature to recognize their customers
Extortionware
	A software program that encrypts essential personal files - taking them hostage and demanding money for their safe return
Keylogger
	Hackers illegally use software keyloggers to identify their victims’ computer passwords, login names, bank account and credit card numbers
Malware
	Any software program developed for the purpose of doing harm to a computer system or to create mischief
Man-in-the-Middle Attack
	Cyber criminals eavesdrop on electronic communication between a consumer and a legitimate organization
Nigerian Scam
	Unsolicited email messages from a stranger who promises great wealth — a get-rich-quick scheme
P2P File Sharing
	Peer-to-peer file sharing is very popular on the Internet, but it can also lead to virus infections and a host of other problems
Pharming
	A technically sophisticated scam designed to trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information such as bank account, credit card, and Social Security numbers
Phishing
	Official looking and sounding messages that urge immediate action to update sensitive financial and identity information
SMishing
	Designed to trick you into divulging identity information, SMishing is Phishing over cell phones and other mobile devices.
Social Engineering Scams
	A scam that preys upon our acceptance of authority and willingness to cooperate with others
Social Networking Sites
	Never under any circumstances should your child or young teenager agree to meet in person someone from one of these sites
Software Piracy
	The illegal use and/or distribution of software protected under intellectual property laws
Spam
	The cyber equivalent to junk mail – spammers have developed many ways of obtaining email addresses
Spim
	Unsolicited product or service advertisements that appear as instant messages
Sping
	Spam from a fake blog tricking the unwary into visiting
Spit
	A spam campaign against VOIP voicemail
Splog
	A spam campaign directed against blogs
Spoofing
	A criminal pretends to be a business or organization in order to gain access to a computer user’s sensitive information such as bank account, credit card, or Social Security numbers
Spy-Phishing
	In a successful Spy-Phishing attack, a Trojan and/or Spyware is downloaded onto your computer from a Phishing message.
Stealth, Polymorphic, and Armored viruses
	These viruses hide, copy, or “armor” themselves in an attempt to avoid detection and removal from a computer.
Bots & Botnets
	Hackers use bot programs for theft, fraud, and denial-of-service attacks on Web sites
Trojan Horses
	Files or software programs that appear to be legitimate, but once installed can cause havoc
Viruses
	Malicious programs or codes inserted into computer systems without the user’s permission
Warez Sites
	Any site that hosts pirated software
Worms
	These malicious software programs spread automatically from computer to computer
Zombie Drones
	Personal computers secretly under the control of hackers

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