  Technological advancements have revolutionized various aspects of human life,
facilitating communication, business operations, healthcare, education, and
environmental monitoring. However, this increased reliance on technology has
also led to a surge in cybercrime, including cyber scams. The "419 scam" or
Nigerian scam has been a persistent problem for decades, encompassing frauds
like advance fee scams, fake lotteries, and black money scams. Initially
prevalent through postal mail and later via fax, the scam has now transitioned
to email. This study aims to identify recent types of 419 scam emails,
particularly after the covid 19 pandemic, and explore commonly used email
subjects. Analysis of the sample 419 scam emails revealed trending scams like
lucky winner, threat of exposure, business/partnership proposals, investment,
cancer/long-term illness, fund, and compensation scams. Emerging scams included
COVID-related, cryptocurrency, marketing contact, and software development
scams. Irrespective of the scam type, scammers commonly employed email subjects
such as 'Re', 'Good day', 'Greetings', 'Dear friend', 'Confirm', 'Attention',
and 'Hello dear'. The severity of cybercrime, especially the 419 scams, cannot
be overstated, as it erodes trust, causes financial losses, and hampers
Nigeria's reputation and economic progress. Combatting cyber scams and
enhancing cybersecurity measures are crucial to protect individuals and
organizations from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
