Terms used by 419er's

Terms used by 419-scammers


These terms are common words in the Nigerian pidgin English.

Fall mugu (to)

To be fooled, to become victim of advance-fee fraud

Flash of account

Cause a victim's bank account to temporarily show a large credit (which the bank reverses when they discover its false origins) to convince the victim the deal is legitimate.

Format

Scheme or script of an advance-fee fraud, e.g., the late dictator format, the next of kin format, the lottery format...

Guyman, guy

Con artist engaged in advance-fee fraud

Jokeman

A scam-baiter

Luxcini

An investment scam involving a line of men's luxury clothing based in Beverly Hills, California

Maga, mugu, mugun, mahi, magha,]mahee, mayi, mayee, mgbada

Victim of advance-fee fraud ("Mugu" means "fool"—often used as an insult by scam-baiters)

Modality

Method of funds transfer

Nwachukwu Advanced fee fraud that poses as a stock options trading corporation

Oga or Chairman

Boss

Owner of the job, Catcher

Con artist who makes first contact with the victim, then passes him to another scammer to finish

Run

An illegal activity

Yahoo millionaire,yahoo boy

Scammers

Yahoo Yahoo

Someone who cons through e-mail, particularly through a Yahoo! address http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud