Advance-Fee Scams in Trinidad and Tobago
Advance-fee fraud targets residents of Trinidad and Tobago with fake lottery wins, overseas business deals, and inheritance claims requiring upfront payments.
Part of: Advance Fee Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Trinidad and Tobago's open economy, English-speaking population, and relatively high internet penetration make it an attractive target for advance-fee fraudsters operating from abroad. Victims are approached through email, Facebook, and SMS with offers of unexpected windfalls that require modest upfront fees to unlock.
The country's diaspora connections to the UK, the US, and Canada also expose residents to overseas variants of the fraud, where scammers claim to represent British or North American legal firms holding estate funds.
How this scam works on Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, advance-fee pitches most commonly arrive by email or Facebook Messenger claiming the recipient has won a lottery or been selected as the beneficiary of an estate. A legal or processing fee — typically payable via wire transfer or gift card — must be paid before the funds are released.
Local business variants target entrepreneurs with fake tender notices for government or energy-sector contracts. The 'procurement officer' contact requests an advance bond payment before the contract documentation is issued.
Diaspora-targeted variants claim unclaimed pension or investment funds held in the UK or US can be transferred to the recipient in Trinidad and Tobago, requiring notarial fees to release.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited notification of a lottery win or estate inheritance you were unaware of
- Any fee presented as a prerequisite for receiving your own money
- Government contract offered via personal email or WhatsApp rather than official procurement channels
- Legal firm cannot be verified through the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
- Payment requested via gift card, wire transfer, or Bitcoin rather than official channels
- Escalating series of fees — each one supposedly the last
How to protect yourself
- Never pay any fee to receive a prize or inheritance you were not expecting
- Verify any law firm through the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
- Check government contract opportunities only through official procurement portals
- Contact your bank before making large transfers in response to unsolicited offers
- Report suspicious approaches to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Fraud Squad
How to report it
- Report to the TTPS Fraud Squad
- Notify the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) if large fund transfers were involved
- Report fraudulent social media accounts to the relevant platform
Frequently asked questions
Are advance-fee scams prosecuted in Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes. The TTPS Fraud Squad investigates advance-fee and related financial fraud. Reporting quickly improves the chances of identifying perpetrators, particularly if domestic bank accounts were used.