Successful scams never quite disappear – they just shift and change over time, becoming new, slightly different versions of themselves as time goes on. But they all have to start somewhere, and in this episode we’re examining the evolution of one of the most famous scams of all: the Nigerian Prince scam. 

The Nigerian Prince scam is an old, confidence scheme where the fraudster promises a big reward for a small, up-front price. But while that legendary con is now mostly a punchline, it has a fascinating history that goes back more than 100 years. It’s also the framework for more sophisticated and dangerous scams that are draining billions from victims every year.

Today, we’ll dive into the timeline of the Nigerian Prince scam, and how it has evolved into modern lucrative romance scams. We’ll also get a closer look at the enormous community of perpetrators: Nigeria’s hundreds of thousands of “Yahoo Boys”.

About the Show

Take a deep dive into today’s most devious scams, as we expose the psychological tactics and surprising methods used to drain thousands of victims of billions of dollars every year. 

At a time when financial crime is increasingly sophisticated, we go behind the schemes to understand the often brilliant – and sometimes foolish – crooks at work, so you can stay alert and avoid becoming their next victim. 

In season 3, Nickel & Crime returns with new mind-twisting stories… and something more. We’re also taking a peek behind the curtain to see how Early Warning helps keep the U.S. financial ecosystem healthy using technology that can stop these bad actors before they strike.

With more focus on what you need to know to spot a scam, alongside our signature immersive storytelling, Nickel & Crime is back to dissect the deception, for your protection. 

About Early Warning

Nickel & Crime is the award-winning financial true crime show brought to you by Early Warning®, a financial services technology leader that has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. Through unmatched network intelligence and partnerships with more than 2,500 bank and credit union brands, we increase access to financial services and products, and protect financial transactions. We are the company behind Zelle®, and PazeSM online checkout solution. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com.

What financial crimes fascinate you? What questions do you have about risk and security? Connect with Nickel & Crime by commenting in the reviews.