Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms: 419 scam, 4-1-9 scam
419 scam, 4-1-9 scam
a form of fraud conducted through e-mail, usually from Nigeria, where it violates section 4-1-9 of the criminal code, hence the name.
The 419 scam is so common that many active Internet users receive more than one solicitation per day. Newer versions of the scam no longer mention Nigeria, and many of them claim to offer lottery winnings, inheritances, or business deals.
