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Advance-fee (419) schemes

A stranger offers you a share of a large sum - an inheritance, unclaimed funds, a business deal - if you first pay a "processing fee" or share bank details. Each fee leads to another; the fortune never exists.

Warning signs

  • An unexpected offer of a large inheritance or "unclaimed funds".
  • You are named "next of kin" or "beneficiary" by a stranger.
  • An up-front fee is needed to transfer the money.

Example

I am a barrister handling an unclaimed inheritance of several million dollars. As next of kin you are the beneficiary; a processing fee is required to transfer the funds to your account.

Made-up example - not a real message.

How to protect yourself

  1. 01No genuine windfall requires you to pay first.
  2. 02Never share bank details with strangers promising money.

Already caught out?

  1. 01Stop contact and stop paying immediately.
  2. 02Report to police if you sent money or ID documents.

Sources

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