419: Analysis of Major Characters
The analysis of major characters in the narrative surrounding the "419" Internet scam reveals a complex interplay of human emotions and motivations in the face of tragedy. Central to the story is Henry Curtis, a retired man who tragically takes his own life after losing everything to an online scam. His daughter, Laura, who shares a close bond with him, becomes fiercely determined to seek justice and recover the lost savings, even as she faces significant dangers in her quest. In contrast, her brother Warren is portrayed as self-centered and focused primarily on financial loss, struggling with the reality of their family’s situation after their father's death.
The narrative also introduces Helen Curtis, Henry's wife, who displays a sense of resignation following her husband's death and their financial ruin. Meanwhile, characters like Matthew Brisbois, a compassionate police sergeant, and David Ribadu, an inspector in Nigeria working against scams, illustrate the broader societal impacts of these fraudulent schemes. The story further explores the lives of characters like Nnamdi and Amina, who navigate their own struggles amid the chaos and danger stemming from the 419 scam network.
Through a rich tapestry of relationships and motivations, the characters embody themes of loss, determination, and the quest for justice, set against the backdrop of a global issue that transcends borders and cultures. This analysis provides insight into the diverse perspectives surrounding the consequences of Internet scams and their impact on both victims and perpetrators.
419: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Will Ferguson
First published: 2012
Genre: Novel
Locale: Nigeria; Calgary, Alberta
Plot: Novel
Time: Late 1990s
Henry Curtis, a retired elderly man swindled by an Internet scam. Once Henry realizes he has been scammed out of his entire savings, retirement, and even his home, he commits suicide by driving off a cliff.
Laura Curtis, Henry's daughter. Having had a very close relationship with her father, Laura is devastated upon learning that her father has been the unwitting victim of an Internet scam that has cost him his entire life's savings, his home, and his life. She is determined to find the perpetrator, and force him to return her father's lost savings to Laura's mother. She is naive, but determined. She educates herself about how such scams are run, and takes it upon herself to fly to Nigeria and hunt down the criminals—an extremely dangerous venture.
Warren Curtis, Henry's son. Warren is an overbearing and self-important, obese man who focuses, almost solely, on the financial losses after his father falls victim to an Internet scam and dies in a crash. He is angry and simply cannot believe there is no way to recuperate his father's financial losses. He has led his family to believe he is relatively wealthy, but must confess when he is unable to rescue his mother from the family's great losses. With the loss of his parents' home, he moves his mother into a basement apartment.
Helen Curtis, Henry's wife. Once she learns of her husband's death and the loss of all of their joint assets, Helen Curtis seems resigned to her fate. Now penniless and homeless, she moves into her son's home. Even after her daughter, Laura, recoups some of their lost money, Helen decides to stay in her son's home, near her grandchildren, so she won't feel so lonely.
Matthew Brisbois, a sergeant in the Canadian police collision reconstruction team. A kind police investigator who takes a personal interest in the Curtis case and, in particular, Laura Curtis. He tries to keep an eye on Laura after he suspects she might try to recoup financial losses from her father's scammers.
David Ribadu, an inspector for the Nigerian EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission). Inspector Ribadu's intentions are honorable when he detains Laura Curtis upon her arrival in Nigeria. Part of his job is to stop 419 scams, which sometimes attract foreigners to Nigeria, to complete their “business transactions.”
Amina, a young Nigerian Hausa woman. On the brink of dying from starvation and exposure, the pregnant Amina has just fled the northern Sahil region of Nigeria, though it is not clear why she is fleeing. Thin and gaunt, except for her abdomen, Amina wears her ethnic identity in the scars etched onto her face. She meets the kind Nnamdi, whose mission becomes that of protecting Amina and her unborn child. Ultimately, he takes responsibility for the woman and child. Nnamdi's mother will not allow Amina to live in the village, so she unwittingly sends the two into extreme danger, into the arms of a distant cousin, the evil Ironsi-Egobia.
Nnamdi, a young Nigerian man. From a small, nameless village in the Nigerian delta, Nnamdi is a kind young man and a devoted son. With something of a mechanical gift and rudimentary training from his father, the easygoing man wins a coveted position working with Shell Oil as a mechanic. Later, his mechanical skills are put to use by mosquito “bunker boys,” men who tap oil pipelines to syphon oil for black market sales. He meets Igbo Joe and the two drive a tanker truck of black market crude to northern Nigeria—an extremely dangerous venture. He rescues the starved Amina (much to Joe's consternation), taking responsibility for her and her unborn child. Nnamdi has inherited some of his father's skill as a diviner and storyteller.
Winston (a.k.a. Chief Ogun), an independent Internet scammer. Well-educated and smart, Winston considers himself far above a common thief. He is an independent Internet scammer, proud of his tricks, and happy to make a living by frequenting Internet cafès. However, his activities draw the attention of a Mafioso-like criminal, Ironsi-Egobia, who “persuades” Winston to take Egobia's protection in exchange for a significant share in Winston's earnings. He puts his life in grave danger at the hands of Egobia, after he falls for Laura Curtis's reverse scam.
Mr. Ironsi-Egobia, an evil kingpin of Internet scams. There is nothing attractive about Ironsi-Egobia. He is a brutal over-lord of the ubiquitous 419 Internet scammers, powerful and able to wield influence, with a vast network of criminals from document forgers to government officials. His people have even infiltrated the highly secure, upscale international hotel chains. He suffers from a lung disease—likely tuberculosis—that has him frequently coughing up blood.
Igbo Joe, a black market oil runner. Joe takes on the extremely dangerous task of driving a tanker full of oil across Nigeria from the southern delta to the northern sahil. He is knowledgeable about ethnic customs and conflicts along the way. He partners with Nnamdi, a mechanic, to help him deliver his quarry, and the two become friends. However, Joe becomes angry when Nnamdi takes it upon himself to rescue the endangered and pregnant sahil girl, Amina.
Mariam and Marcus Balogun, Winston's parents. Kind and generous hosts, Winston's parents unwittingly foster Winston's undoing through their hospitality and interest in Laura Curtis, who has planned their meeting in order to trap Winston into returning the remainder of her dead father's assets.
Nnamdi's father, a Nigerian man. As a respected village fisherman, storyteller, and “healer of generators,” Nnamdi idolizes his father, who is a kind and gentle man. Having married outside of his clan, his prospects are limited, though. He is superstitious, and being a storyteller, is something akin to a lay priest. As a diviner, he believes that people are born good, but can choose evil, and that's the difference between a diviner and a sorcerer.
Detective Rhodes, a Canadian, female detective working with Sergeant Matthew Brisbois.
Detective Saul, a Canadian detective working with Sergeant Matthew Brisbois.
Tunde, Ironsi-Igobia's “swamp-eyed” henchman.