What is the psychological effect that is fooled by international fraud 'Nigerian letter'?

ByAntonio Rosario

A type of international fraud which tricks out money required as a fee for seeking assistance for huge money transfer as a party of African countries such as Nigeria, primarily as a member of aristocracy, government, bank, etc. "Nigerian letter"is. Although it was a fraud which had been done with letters and faxes before, victims are appearing even in Japan due to spread of e-mails. It is psychologically explained that why such a simple fraud scheme is effective.

The First 'Nigerian Prince' Scam - Science Friday
http://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the-first-nigerian-prince-scam/


A post by a person named Bill Morrison who appeared in a certain American newspaper as "the prince of a certain country" was posted. The prince is written as being born of the relatives of the aristocracy of Nigeria, and the only wish the Prince wanted is "I want an American correspondent." The contact information is released on paper free of charge, and a large number of Americans have sent a letter to "Prince Morrison."

Prince Morrison wrote a reply to several of them and requested that it send only 4 dollars in that and a pair of pants that will not be worn anymore. The prince was supposed to send an enormous amount of ivory, diamonds and emeralds in return, but the jewel did not reach the American who sent the requested money or old clothes. Afterwards, as the complaints rushed to the post office, the police authorities investigated the suspicious prince, and the sender of the letter was a 14-year-old American and found that he did not have a tremendous wealth. This is said to be the world 's first "letter of Nigeria".

Such a "letter of Nigeria" has been done all over the world until the phishing scam rampant with the spread of e-mails, but Maria Konnikova's book "The Confidence GameIn this report, we are summarizing the research on why such simple fraud succeeds.

According to a study by Stanford University psychologist Mr. Jonathan Freeman and Scott Fraser in 1966, when a person acknowledges a small request, it becomes easy to agree with the subsequent great demandFoot in the doorTechnique called "Proof is being demonstrated. The experiment conducted in the research asked 150 households to conduct a classification survey of household goods used at home for two hours, and the fact that 5 or 6 research teams visit their homes to investigate I will explain.

ByEltpics

As a result of the experiment, 150 housewives were divided into groups that answered the brief questions about their favorite soap brands by phone on a phone once, and they were divided into groups that never contacted, asking for the classification survey of household goods for the first time While the approval rate of the group was 1/5, more than half of the groups that had previously responded to the question agreed with the classification survey. This technique demonstrates the psychological phenomenon that it increases the possibility of being more kind to people who gave favor, such as "getting dropped gloves", "call me for a few minutes from mobile phone" It is said that similar methods have been used as a regular means among fraud groups.

By observing ourselves advocated by psychologist Darryl Bem, you can perceive your own internal state you do not even know "Self-perception theory"Can supplement the above experiments. Although suddenly shouting to others, it is bad manners, but opening up doors to someone is kindly felt. It seems that many people want to be kind to someone so that their hearts will calm down when they see kind acts.

People tend to prefer to prove that "they are generous people by giving favor to others," Robert B. Chardini, American psychology professor, said, "In the context of persuading us The element weakening points to the desire to "keep their good image". It means that if you feel themselves as "a valuable human being" it has the property that it becomes easy to respond to requests.

Nigeria's letter asks for their own poverty and distress, demands that you transfer the property that can not be moved easily in your country to the other's account and want to give some as a thank you. If you accept this, you will be required to pay the fee necessary for the delivery of unlikely property, and in the end it will be a way to lose communication, but by "to acknowledge the transfer of property" The door "is established. Moreover, since the kindness of "being helping people in need of poor countries" is born, it is thought that it will be easier to pay the fee. At first glance, it seems like an easy way to catch on, but by measuring it or not, "Nigerian letters" is a strategy backed by dual psychological logic.

ByVaXzine

Among the famous international fraud cases, in addition to "Nigerian letters (aka: 419 letters)", "trade fraud fraud", "international tender invitation fraud", "investment-type fraud", "visa acquisition type Fraud "," International marriage-type fraud "," Remittance destination change fraud "are emerging, and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) explained attitudes of each fraud attracting attention on the following pages I will. If you read it together with the psychology of this time, it may be useful as defense knowledge of "unexpected good story".

About international fraud case (alerted) | FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - FAQ / Contact - JETRO
https://www.jetro.go.jp/contact/faq/419.html