Kidnapping: A Variant of Nigerian Advance Fee Fraudsters (419) Diversified Portfolio

Noel Otu

University of Texas At Brownsville, USA

Abstract:

A trend has emerged over the past few years concerning the universal awareness of the Nigerian advance fee fraud (419) that suggests that a diversification process is taking place. This paper investigates why 419 syndicates have added kidnapping for ransom to their criminal portfolio that already include armed robbery, extortion, and other related crimes. The paper argues that since advance fee fraud (419) is no longer as lucrative as it used to be, and hence, kidnapping in Nigeria which was a regional and oil sector problem confined to the Niger Delta region, is now a national nightmare. Furthermore, the study reveals that although kidnapping for ransom is very lucrative, fraudsters are also very much interested in politically motivated kidnapping if and when the price is right. In the final analysis, kidnappings in Nigeria are unintended consequences of decades of wealthy people preying on the powerless and doing everything in their considerable power to keep from losing power; which generates a class-based resentment fueling kidnapping.

Keyword:

Diversification, Armed Robbery, Advance Fee Fraud, Kidnapping.