Why are there so many variations of the Nigerian 419 email scam? The answer is because so many people fall for it. No doubt millions of these emails flood the globe with its false promise of getting rich quick by laundering money though your bank account. And even if only a fraction of one percent of the population falls for the scam, the senders stand to make millions.
The latest documented case is this Florida retiree who sold his stock, got a second mortgage on his home, and hocked his two cars. For more than a year, he gave virtual strangers $300,000. In essence, every dollar he had or could borrow. He even bought them gold pens, cell phones and a laptop computer.
The saddest thing about this episode is that to this day, this guy does not think he was scammed. He ignored police warnings that the deal was bogus and instead blames his losses on corrupt foreign governments. He has not filed a complaint with authorities. He is well and truly blinded by greed. A greed so strong that if he could, he would give them more money.
If only the right official were paid off. If only he didn't have to pay so many fees. If only he didn't have to hire an "attorney" in West Africa to help grease the deal. If only he had not fallen for one of the oldest scams out there.
