Advance-Fee Variant Scams
Any scam that promises a large reward contingent on the victim first paying a series of escalating fees — regardless of the specific cover story used.
Also known as: 419 variant, upfront fee scam, fee-in-advance fraud
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Advance-fee fraud — also known as 419 fraud — has a core mechanic: promise something valuable (lottery winnings, an inheritance, a business deal, a job offer, a visa) and then demand a small payment to release it. Once paid, further 'unexpected' fees appear (taxes, legal costs, customs, insurance) in an endless series until the victim runs out of money or loses faith.
The 419 label refers to the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code historically associated with this fraud, but the scheme is now global and covers dozens of storylines: Nigerian prince inheritances, unclaimed lottery prizes, romance-scam gifts stuck in customs, fake job relocation fees, EU lottery funds, and cryptocurrency investment withdrawal fees.
The defining characteristic is always the same: a large benefit that requires an upfront payment before it can be received. In reality, no benefit exists. Each fee paid simply proves the victim is willing to pay more, triggering the next request. Victims can lose tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars before the relationship ends.
Examples
- After winning a fake EU lottery, the 'prize administrator' requests a series of release fees — administration, customs, insurance — totalling more than the stated prize.
- A job offer overseas requires the candidate to pay visa-processing and relocation fees upfront before any contract is signed.