Suckers aren't we all?

The scam is best known as the "Nigerian email scam" or "419 scam," a reference to Nigerian penal code against fraud. Authorities now call it "advance fee fraud."

According to an FBI report, about 2,600 Americans said they were victims of the scams in 2001. Sixteen reported losses totaling $US345,000 ($A626,000); two individuals lost over $US70,000 ($A127,000) each.

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/05/24/1022038469314.html