Editing Advance-fee scam (section)

== Variants ==
{{See also|Internet fraud|List of email scams|phishing}}
There are many variations on the most common stories, and also many variations on the way the scam works. Some of the more commonly seen variants involve employment scams, [[lottery scam]]s, online sales and rentals, and [[romance scam]]s. Many scams involve online sales, such as those advertised on websites such as [[Craigslist]] and [[eBay]], or property rental. This article cannot list every known and future type of advanced fee fraud or 419 scheme; only some major types are described. Additional examples may be available in the ''[[#External links|external links]]'' section at the end of this article.

=== Employment scams ===
This scam targets people who have posted their résumés on job sites. The scammer sends a letter with a falsified company logo. The job offer usually indicates exceptional salary and benefits, and requests that the victim needs a "work permit" for working in the country, and includes the address of a (fake) "government official" to contact. The "government official" then proceeds to fleece the victim by extracting fees from the unsuspecting user for the work permit and other fees. A variant of the job scam recruits freelancers seeking work, such as editing or translation, then requires some advance payment before assignments are offered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beware of scammers |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140708160738-176052476-beware-of-scammers |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}</ref>

Many{{quantify|date=August 2020}} legitimate (or at least fully registered) companies work on a similar basis, using this method as their primary source of earnings. Some modelling and escort agencies tell applicants that they have a number of clients lined up, but that they require some sort of prior "registration fee", usually paid in by an untraceable method, e.g. by Western Union transfer; once the fee is paid, the applicant is informed the client has cancelled, and not contacted again.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

The scammer contacts the victim to interest them in a "work-from-home" opportunity, or asks them to cash a cheque or money order that for some reason cannot be redeemed locally. In one cover story, the perpetrator of the scam wishes the victim to work as a "[[mystery shopper]]", evaluating the service provided by MoneyGram or Western Union locations within major retailers such as [[Wal-Mart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc5i.com/newsbycounty/14519865/detail.html|title=Denton Woman Says Mystery Shopper Job Was Scam|publisher=Nbc5i.com|date=November 6, 2007|access-date=2009-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927013037/http://www.nbc5i.com/newsbycounty/14519865/detail.html|archive-date=2008-09-27}}</ref> The scammer sends the victim a forged or stolen cheque or money order [[#Fake checks|as described above]], the victim deposits it—banks will often credit an account with the value of a cheque not obviously false— and sends the money to the scammer via wire transfer. Later the cheque is not honoured ("bounces") and the bank debits the victim's account. Schemes based solely on cheque cashing usually offer only a small part of the cheque's total amount, with the assurance that many more cheques will follow; if the victim buys into the scam and cashes all the cheques, the scammer can steal a lot in a very short time.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

==== Bogus job offers ====
More sophisticated scams advertise jobs with real companies and offer lucrative salaries and conditions with the fraudsters pretending to be recruitment agents. A bogus telephone or online interview may take place and after some time the applicant is informed that the job is theirs. To secure the job they are instructed to send money for their work visa or travel costs to the agent, or to a bogus travel agent who works on the scammer's behalf. No matter what the variation, they always involve the job seeker sending them or their agent money, credit card or bank account details.<ref name="Adams">{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Tony|title=Columbus woman warns others to beware of job phishing scams.|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/business/article136738313.html|access-date=March 23, 2017|publisher=Ledger-Enquirer|date=March 6, 2017}}</ref> A newer form of employment scam has arisen in which users are sent a bogus job offer but are not asked to give financial information. Instead, their personal information is harvested during the application process and then sold to third parties for a profit, or used for [[identity theft]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/09/AR2007020901925.html|title=Taking the Bait On a Phish Scam, Job Seekers Are Targets, Victims of Sophisticated Ploy|last=Shin|first=Annys|date=2007-10-02|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2009-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-sep-11-fi-monster11-story.html|title=Sleeping on the job? Security at work-applicant sites faulted|last=Menn|first=Joseph|date=2007-11-09|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2009-03-30}}</ref>

Another form of employment scam involves making people attend a fake "interview" where they are told the benefits of the company. The attendees are then made to assist to a conference where a scammer will use elaborate manipulation techniques to convince the attendees to purchase products, in a similar manner to the catalog merchant business model, as a hiring requisite. Quite often, the company lacks any form of the physical catalog to help them sell products (e.g. jewelry). When "given" the job, the individual is then asked to promote the scam job offer on their own. They are also made to work for the company unpaid as a form of "training".<ref name="Lee">{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Diane|title=Upstate company posts salaried job ads, but isn't hiring for real positions say fmr. employees.|url=http://wspa.com/2017/02/23/upstate-company-posts-salaried-job-ads-but-isnt-hiring-real-for-positions-say-fmr-employees/|access-date=March 23, 2017|publisher=[[WSPA-TV]]|date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=24 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324083743/http://wspa.com/2017/02/23/upstate-company-posts-salaried-job-ads-but-isnt-hiring-real-for-positions-say-fmr-employees/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Similar scams involve making alleged job candidates pay money upfront in person for training materials or services, with the claim that upon successful completion, they will be offered a guaranteed job, which never materializes.<ref name="Kliot">{{cite news|last1=Kliot|first1=Hannah|title=Online employment scams target college students.|url=http://www.ksat.com/education/college-students-targeted-by-online-employment-scams|access-date=March 23, 2017|publisher=[[KSAT-TV]]|date=January 31, 2017}}</ref>

=== Lottery scam ===
{{Main|Lottery scam}}
The lottery scam involves fake notices of lottery wins, although the intended victim has not entered the lottery. The "winner" is usually asked to send sensitive information such as name, residential address, occupation/position, lottery number etc. to a free email account which is at times untraceable or without any link. In addition to harvesting this information, the scammer then notifies the victim that releasing the funds requires some small fee (insurance, registration, or shipping). Once the victim sends the fee, the scammer invents another fee.

The [[#Fake checks|fake cheque]] technique described above is also used. Fake or stolen cheque, representing a part payment of the winnings, being sent; then a fee, smaller than the amount received, is requested. The bank receiving the bad cheque eventually reclaims the funds from the victim.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

In 2004, a variant of the lottery scam appeared in the United States: a scammer phones a victim purporting to be speaking on behalf of the government about a grant they qualify for, subject to an advance fee of typically US$250.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/govgrant.asp |title=Government Grant Scam |date=11 December 2004 |publisher=snopes.com |access-date=2012-02-22}}</ref>

Typical lottery scams address the person as some variation of ''Lucky Winner''. This is a red flag, as if someone entered an actual lottery and won, the organization would know their name, and not simply call them ''Lucky Winner''.

=== Online sales and rentals ===
Many scams involve the purchase of goods and services via classified advertisements, especially on sites like [[Craigslist]], [[eBay]], or [[Gumtree]]. These typically involve the scammer contacting the seller of a particular good or service via telephone or email expressing interest in the item. They will typically then send a fake [[cheque]] written for an amount greater than the asking price, asking the seller to send the difference to an alternate address, usually by [[money order]] or [[Western Union]]. A seller eager to sell a particular product may not wait for the cheque to clear, and when the bad cheque bounces, the funds wired have already been lost.<ref name="Fraudguides">{{cite web|title=Craigslist Scams.|url=http://www.fraudguides.com/internet-craigslist-scams.asp|publisher=fraudguides.com|access-date=June 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705075209/http://www.fraudguides.com/internet-craigslist-scams.asp|archive-date=July 5, 2012}}</ref>

Some scammers advertise phony academic conferences in exotic or international locations, complete with fake websites, scheduled agendas and advertising experts in a particular field that will be presenting there. They offer to pay the airfare of the participants, but not the hotel accommodations. They will extract money from the victims when they attempt to reserve their accommodations in a non-existent hotel.<ref name="Grant_Bob">{{cite news|last=Grant|first=Bob|title=Another fake conference?|url=http://classic.the-scientist.com/blog/display/56185/|access-date=June 24, 2012|newspaper=[[The Scientist (magazine)|The Scientist]]|date=November 24, 2009}}</ref>

Sometimes, an inexpensive rental property is advertised by a fake landlord, who is typically out of state (or the country) and asking for the rent and/or deposit to be wired to them.<ref name="Sichelman_Lew">{{cite news|last=Sichelman|first=Lew|title=Rental scams can target either landlords or tenants|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-xpm-2012-mar-25-la-fi-lew-20120325-story.html|access-date=June 23, 2012|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> Or the [[con artist]] finds a property, pretends to be the owner, lists it online, and communicates with the would-be renter to make a cash deposit.<ref name="Aho_Karen">{{cite news|last=Aho|first=Karen|title=Renters: Beware of new twists on an old scam|url=http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=20482759|access-date=June 24, 2012|newspaper=[[MSN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512090312/http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=20482759|archive-date=May 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The scammer may also be the renter as well, in which case they pretend to be a foreign student and contact a landlord seeking accommodation. They usually state they are not yet in the country and wish to secure accommodations prior to arriving. Once the terms are negotiated, a forged cheque is forwarded for a greater amount than negotiated, and the fraudster asks the landlord to wire some of the money back.<ref name="McKee_Chris">{{cite news|last=McKee |first=Chris |title=Room rental internet scam takes Eugene college students for thousands |url=http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Room-rental-internet-scam-takes-Eugene-college/WwwCZHV1r0-7RtEY9kXpLw.cspx |access-date=June 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[KMTR]] |date=March 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120215930/http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Room-rental-internet-scam-takes-Eugene-college/WwwCZHV1r0-7RtEY9kXpLw.cspx |archive-date=November 20, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Pet scams ===
This is a variation of the online sales scam where high-value, scarce pets are advertised as bait on online advertising websites using little real seller verification like [[Craigslist]], [[Gumtree]], and JunkMail. The pet may either be advertised as being for-sale or up for adoption. Typically, the pet is advertised on online advertising pages complete with photographs taken from various sources such as real advertisements, blogs or wherever else an image can be stolen. Upon the potential victim contacting the scammer, the scammer responds by asking for details pertaining to the potential victim's circumstances and location under the pretense of ensuring that the pet would have a suitable home.<ref name="American Kennel Club">{{cite web|title=AKC and Better Business Bureau Warn Consumers to Be Wary of Puppy Scams|url=http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3220|access-date=May 29, 2007}}</ref>

By determining the location of the victim, the scammer ensures he is far enough from the victim so as to not allow the buyer to physically view the pet. Should the scammer be questioned, as the advertisement claimed a location initially, the scammer will claim work circumstances having forced him to relocate. This forces a situation whereby all communication is either via email, telephone (normally untraceable numbers) and SMS.<ref name="American Kennel Club" />

Upon the victim deciding to adopt or purchase the pet, a courier has to be used which is in reality part of the scam. If this is for an adopted pet, typically the victim is expected to pay some fee such as insurance, food or shipping. Payment is via MoneyGram, Western Union or money mules' bank accounts where other victims have been duped into work from home scams.<ref name="American Kennel Club" />

Numerous problems are encountered in the courier phase of the scam. The crate may be said to be too small, and the victim has the option of either purchasing a crate with air conditioning or renting one while also paying a deposit, typically called a caution or cautionary fee. The victim may also have to pay for insurance if such fees have not been paid yet. If the victim pays these fees, the pet may be said to have become sick, and a veterinarian's assistance is sought for which the victim has to repay the courier.<ref name="Herb_Weisbaum">{{cite news|last=Weisbaum|first=Herb|title=Hound hoax: Con artists target dog lovers|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/19299243|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814113245/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19299243|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 August 2020|access-date=June 18, 2007|newspaper=[[NBC News]]}}</ref>

Additionally, the victim may be asked to pay for a health certificate needed to transport the pet, and for kennel fees during the recuperation period. The further the scam progresses, the more similar the fictitious fees are to those of typical 419 scams. It is not uncommon to see customs or like fees being claimed if such charges fit into the scam plot.<ref name="Herb_Weisbaum" />

Numerous scam websites may be used for this scam.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Understanding pet scams: A case study of advance fee and non-delivery fraud using victims' accounts|first1=Jack M|last1=Whittaker|first2=Mark|last2=Button|date=December 28, 2020|journal=Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology|volume=53|issue=4|pages=497–514|doi=10.1177/0004865820957077|s2cid=224966263|doi-access=free}}</ref> This scam has been linked to the classical 419 scams in that the fictitious couriers used are also used in other types of 419 scams such as lotto scams.

=== Romance scam ===
{{Main|Romance scam}}

One of the variants is the ''Romance Scam'', a money-for-romance angle.<ref name="KMBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.kmbc.com/money/9246998/detail.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719002945/http://www.kmbc.com/money/9246998/detail.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-19|title=Online Romance Scams Continue To Grow – Project Economy News Story|publisher=Kmbc.com|date=2006-05-19|access-date=2012-02-22}}</ref> The con artist approaches the victim on an [[online dating service]], an [[instant messenger]], or a social networking site. The scammer claims an interest in the victim, and posts pictures of an attractive person.<ref name="Seduce2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/8704213|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217010953/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8704213|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2013|title=Singles seduced into scams online|work=NBC News|date=2005-07-28|access-date=2012-02-22}}</ref> The scammer uses this communication to gain confidence, then asks for money.<ref name="KMBC" /> A very common example of romance scams is depicted in the fraudulent activities of these boys, popularly known as Yahoo boys in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web|title=8 Signs Of A Yahoo Boy Every Lady Must Watch Out For|url=https://www.datingreporter.com.ng/2021/03/5-signs-of-a-yahoo-boy.html|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Dating Reporter's Blog|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-date=2021-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410135933/https://www.datingreporter.com.ng/2021/03/5-signs-of-a-yahoo-boy.html}}</ref>

The con artist may claim to be interested in meeting the victim but needs cash to book a plane, buy a bus ticket, rent a hotel room, pay for personal-travel costs such as gasoline or a vehicle rental, or to cover other expenses.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://ccjls.scholasticahq.com/article/3792ref>|journal=Criminology, Criminal Justice, Law & Society|first=Suleman |last=Lazarus|issue=2|volume=19|date=August 1, 2018|s2cid=150040643|title=Birds of a Feather Flock Together: The Nigerian Cyber Fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) and Hip Hop Artists}}</ref> In other cases, they claim they're trapped in a foreign country and need assistance to return, to escape imprisonment by corrupt local officials, to pay for medical expenses due to an illness contracted abroad, and so on.<ref name="Seduce2" /> The scammer may also use the confidence gained by the romance angle to introduce some variant of the original Nigerian Letter scheme,<ref name="Seduce2" /> such as saying they need to get money or valuables out of the country and offer to share the wealth, making the request for help in leaving the country even more attractive to the victim.

Scams often involve meeting someone on an online match-making service.<ref name="KMBC" /> The scammer initiates contact with their target who is out of the area and requests money for transportation fare.<ref name="Seduce2" /> Scammers will typically ask for money to be sent via a [[money order]] or [[wire transfer]] due to the need to travel, or for medical or business costs.<ref name="romance_scam">{{cite news|title=Attorney general: Beware of romance scams on Valentine's Day.|url=http://www.sent-trib.com/news/attorney-general-beware-of-romance-scams-on-valentine-s-day/article_45ec84ba-f060-11e6-9e53-738933627fec.html|access-date=March 23, 2017|publisher=Sentinel-Tribune|date=February 11, 2017|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726085516/https://www.sent-trib.com/news/attorney-general-beware-of-romance-scams-on-valentine-s-day/article_45ec84ba-f060-11e6-9e53-738933627fec.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

An extreme example of this is the case of a 67-year-old Australian woman, Jette Jacobs. In 2013, she traveled to South Africa to supposedly marry her scammer, Jesse Orowo Omokoh, 28, after having sent more than $90,000 to him over a three-year period.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=2014-02-03 |title=Nigerian arrested over WA woman Jette Jacobs death |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/nigerian-arrested-over-wa-woman-jette-jacobs-death-20140204-31y4l.html |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=WAtoday |language=en}}</ref> Her body was discovered on February 9, 2013, under mysterious circumstances, two days after meeting up with Omokoh, who then fled to Nigeria, where he was arrested. He was found to have had 32 fake online identities. Due to lack of evidence he was not charged with murder, but was charged with fraud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/jette-jacobs-son-visits-the-scene-of-his-mothers-alleged-murder-by-a-love-scammer-in-south-africa/story-fnhocxo3-1226930446657|title=Jette Jacobs' son visits the scene of his mother's alleged murder by a love scammer in South Africa|access-date=2016-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621163613/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/jette-jacobs-son-visits-the-scene-of-his-mothers-alleged-murder-by-a-love-scammer-in-south-africa/story-fnhocxo3-1226930446657|archive-date=2014-06-21|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://efccnigeria.org/efcc/index.php/news/910-efcc-arraigns-suspected-conman-for-90-000-romance-scam|title=EFCC Arraigns Suspected Conman for $90,000 Romance Scam}}</ref>

=== Mobile tower installation fraud ===
{{Main|Mobile tower fraud}}
This variant of advance-fee fraud is widespread in India and Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://propakistani.pk/2010/10/09/fraud-of-the-year-minting-money-by-acquiring-land-for-towers/|title=Fraud of the Year: Minting Money by Acquiring Land for Towers|date=9 October 2010|access-date=2016-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Villagers-fall-prey-to-mobile-tower-scam/articleshow/47697564.cms|title=Villagers fall prey to mobile tower scam – Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=17 June 2015 |access-date=2016-03-18}}</ref> The fraudster uses Internet classified websites and print media to lure the public into installing a mobile phone tower on their property, with the promise of huge rental returns. The fraudster also creates fake websites to appear legitimate. The victims part with their money in pieces to the fraudster on account of the Government Service Tax, government clearance charges, bank charges, transportation charges, survey fee etc. The Indian government is issuing public notices in media to spread awareness among the public and warn them against mobile tower fraudsters.<ref>{{cite web|title = Measures to Protect Consumer Interest – Consumer Info: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India|url = http://www.trai.gov.in/Content/mpci.aspx|website = www.trai.gov.in|access-date = 2016-02-20|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160212020852/http://www.trai.gov.in/Content/mpci.aspx|archive-date = 2016-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title = Mass Marketing Frauds in the garb of Mobile Towers in India: Evolving a Framework to handle it|url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294219016|website = ResearchGate|access-date = 2016-02-20|doi = 10.13140/RG.2.1.4630.2480|last = Kumar|first = Harish|year = 2016}}</ref>

=== Other scams ===
Other scams involve unclaimed property, also called "[[bona vacantia]]" in the [[United Kingdom]]. In [[England and Wales]] (other than the [[Duchy of Lancaster]] and the [[Duchy of Cornwall]]), this property is administered by the Bona Vacantia Division of the Treasury Solicitor's Department.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Fraudulent emails and letters claiming to be from this department have been reported, informing the recipient they are the beneficiary of a legacy but requiring the payment of a fee before sending more information or releasing the money.<ref name="Bona_Vacantia">{{cite web|title=Scam Email Warnings. |url=http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/output/scam-email-warning.aspx |publisher=Bona Vacantia |access-date=June 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712102227/http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/output/scam-email-warning.aspx |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref> In the [[United States]], messages are falsely claimed to be from the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA), a real organization, but one that does not and cannot by itself make payments.<ref name="Leamy_Elisabeth">{{cite news|last=Leamy|first=Elisabeth|title=Beware of Unclaimed Money Scams|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/beware-unclaimed-money-scam/story?id=14293877#.T-aW4StYuxI|access-date=June 23, 2012|newspaper=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=August 16, 2011}}</ref>

In one variant of 419 fraud, an alleged [[hitman]] writes to someone explaining he has been targeted to kill them. He tells them he knows the allegations against them are false, and asks for money so the target can receive evidence of the person who ordered the hit.<ref name="Snopes_Hitman">{{cite web|last=Mikkelson|first=Barbara|title=Hitman Scam.|date=14 January 2007 |url=http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/hitman.asp|publisher=[[Snopes]]|access-date=June 23, 2012}}</ref>

Another variant of advanced fee fraud is known as a pigeon drop. This is a [[confidence trick]] in which the [[Mark (victim)|mark]], or "[[pigeon]]", is persuaded to give up a sum of money in order to secure the rights to a larger sum of money, or more valuable object.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In reality, the scammers make off with the money and the mark is left with nothing. In the process, the stranger (actually a confidence trickster) puts his money with the mark's money (in an envelope, briefcase, or bag) which the mark is then apparently entrusted with; it is actually switched for a bag full of newspaper or other worthless material. Through various theatrics, the mark is given the opportunity to leave with the money without the stranger realizing. In reality, the mark would be fleeing from his own money, which the con man still has (or has handed off to an [[accomplice]]).<ref name="Zak_Paul">{{cite news|last=Zak|first=Paul J.|title=How to Run a Con|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-moral-molecule/200811/how-run-con|access-date=June 23, 2012|newspaper=[[Psychology Today]]|date=November 13, 2008}}</ref>

Some scammers go after the victims of previous scams; known as a [[reloading scam]]. For example, they may contact a victim saying they can track and apprehend the scammer and recover the money lost by the victim for a price. Or they may say a fund has been set up by the Nigerian government to compensate victims of 419 fraud, and all that is required is proof of the loss, personal information, and a processing and handling fee. The recovery scammers obtain lists of victims by buying them from the original scammers.<ref name="Snopes_Victim_Scam">{{cite web|first=David|last=Mikkelson|title=Scam Me Twice, Shame On Me, ...|date=11 August 2004|url=https://www.snopes.com/scam-me-twice-shame-on-me/|publisher=[[Snopes]]|access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref>