Genealogy Heir Hunter Scams Sent by Email
Fraudsters email people out of the blue claiming they are due an unclaimed inheritance from a distant relative, then charge upfront fees for genealogy research or legal work that never delivers anything.
Part of: Genealogy Heir Hunter Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Legitimate heir hunter (probate research) firms do exist and locate rightful heirs to unclaimed estates, usually working on a contingency fee taken from the estate itself. Fraudulent versions instead use unsolicited email to invent a distant relative's fortune, then charge the target upfront fees for 'research,' 'legal filing,' or 'tax clearance' before any inheritance is paid out, which never actually exists.
How this scam works on Email
An email arrives claiming to be from a probate researcher, solicitor, or 'international heir tracing agency,' stating that a distantly related person with the same surname has died leaving a substantial unclaimed estate, and that the recipient has been identified as a potential heir through genealogical records. The email asks the recipient to confirm family details and pay a modest upfront fee for a 'genealogy verification report' or 'file registration,' with the promise of a much larger payout once the estate is released.
Once the initial fee is paid, further emails follow demanding additional payments for 'court filing costs,' 'international tax clearance,' or 'currency conversion charges,' each framed as the final step before the inheritance is released. The estate, the deceased relative, and often the entire firm are fictional, and no inheritance ever arrives no matter how many fees are paid.
Common red flags
- An unsolicited email about an unclaimed inheritance from a relative you have never heard of
- Requests for upfront payment before any estate funds are confirmed or released
- Legitimate heir hunters work on contingency (a percentage taken from the estate), not upfront fees
- Escalating requests for additional fees framed as the final step before payout
- Pressure to keep the matter confidential or act quickly before the 'claim window closes'
- Poor-quality legal documents, generic law firm names, or contact details limited to a free email address
How to protect yourself
- Never pay upfront fees to receive an inheritance, genuine heir hunters take their fee from the estate after it pays out
- Verify any probate research firm through your country's relevant regulator or professional register before engaging
- Ask a solicitor to review any inheritance claim independently before sending money or personal documents
- Search the deceased relative's name and the firm's name online for scam reports before responding
- Do not send identity documents, bank details, or payment based solely on an unsolicited email
- Discuss the email with family members, since if an inheritance were genuine, other relatives would likely also be contacted through proper channels
How to report it
- Report the email as phishing/fraud to your email provider and delete it
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) at actionfraud.police.uk or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US)
- Report to the professional body for solicitors or probate researchers in the firm's claimed jurisdiction if a real name is used
- Warn family members who share the same surname, as these emails are often sent to many people at once
Frequently asked questions
Do legitimate heir hunter firms ever contact people out of the blue?
Yes, this is normal for genuine probate research firms, but they should be verifiable, should explain they work on a contingency percentage, and should never ask for upfront payment before any funds are released.
How can I check if an inheritance claim is real?
Ask an independent solicitor to verify the estate and the researching firm, and search public probate records in the claimed jurisdiction rather than relying on documents the emailer provides.