The 419 scam originated in the early 1980s as the oil-based [[economy of Nigeria]] went downhill. Several unemployed university students first used this scam as a means of manipulating business visitors interested in shady deals in the Nigerian oil sector before targeting businessmen in the west, and later the wider population. Early variants were often sent via letter, fax, or even . The spread of email and easy access to email-harvesting software made the cost of sending scam letters through the Internet extremely cheap. In the 2000s, the 419 scam has spurred imitations from other locations in Africa and Eastern Europe.
The number "419" refers to the article of the Nigerian Criminal Code "Obtaining Property by false pretences; Cheating dealing with fraud. Criminal The [[American Dialect Society]] has traced the term "419 fraud" back to 1992.
The advance-fee fraud is similar to a much older scam known as the [[Spanish Prisoner]] scam. Scams that Keep Being Used on People. The fictitious prisoner would promise to share non-existent treasure with the person who would send them money to bribe their guards.
