Terms used by 419-scammers

Fall mugu (to)

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

Flash of account

Cause the victim's bank account to temporarily show a large credit. This is intended to induce the victim to believe in the deal and send money. The credit gets reversed by the bank when it is discovered that the original cheque or electronic transfer was fraudulent.

Format

The scheme or script of an advance-fee fraud, e.g., the late dictator format (the scammer pretends to be a relative of a dictator, e.g.Maryam Abacha, "Wife" of Sani Abacha), the next of kin format, the lottery format.

Guyman, guy

Scammer engaged in advance-fee fraud.

Jokeman

A scambaiter.

Luxcini

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

Maga, mugu, mugun, mahi, magha,^[23] mahee, mayi, mayee, mgbada(antelope)

Victim of advance-fee fraud. "Mugu" means "fool" and is often used as an insult by scam-baiters referring back to the scammer.

Modalities

commonly used term for methods of funds transfer.^[71][3]

Nwachukwu

An advanced fee fraud posing as a Stock Options trading corporation.

Oga or Chairman

Boss

Owner of the job, Catcher

Scammer who makes the first contact with a victim and then passes him on to another scammer who finishes the job. The latter shares the spoil with the former.

Runs

An (illegal) activity.

Yahoo millionaires, yahoo boys

^[73] Scammers

Yahoo yahoo

The act of scamming, especially through the use of a Yahoo! mail address.