419 fraud

419 fraud, also known as advance-fee scams, involves tricking individuals into paying money upfront with the promise of receiving a larger sum of money or a valuable service later. The scammer often claims to be a government official, a wealthy individual, or a legal representative, claiming that the victim is entitled to a prize, inheritance, or funds but needs to pay a fee first. In reality, there is no prize or money, and once the fee is paid, the scammer disappears with the money. These scams exploit trust and often target vulnerable or naive individuals.