Advanced-fee fraud or Nigerian 419 fraud costs the American and British Governments billions in lost revenues and taxes. But, first what is advanced-fee fraud and others like it?
Advanced-fee fraud or according to the Nigerian financial code 419 are a forms of a confidence tricks that are used to extort non-reportable money from foreigners, in the United States and Great Britain and other countries. This type of Fraud uses both, Email and telephone to contact victims to tell them that they were "chosen" for you by an official from the bank of Nigeria to see if they want to make possibly millions in money, that would be other wised lost.
People get enticed by the fact that they could make millions if they first donate money to pay either corrupt officials or surcharges. But in reality the person is getting scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars over the duration of many months, without anything to show for it.
But you will still have your life at least, because in many cases foreigners go to Nigeria or other countries to claim the fraudulent money and end up being murdered.
The best way to avoid scams is to be aware of Emails and other solicitious calls, that are from unknown senders or callers.