What is an advance fee scam?
An advance fee scam promises a large future reward — a lottery win, inheritance, business deal, or loan — but requires the victim to pay an upfront fee first. The promised reward never arrives and the fees keep escalating.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Advance fee fraud is one of the oldest scam types, historically associated with letters from Nigerian princes (the '419' scam, named after the relevant Nigerian criminal code). The premise is always the same: you have been selected to receive a large sum, but first you must pay a small fee to unlock it.
Modern variants are more varied and sophisticated. They include fake lottery notifications, unclaimed inheritance emails from solicitors, investment opportunities requiring a registration deposit, romance partners overseas who need travel money to visit, and fraudulent loan companies that require an 'insurance' or 'processing' fee before releasing the funds.
The defining characteristic is escalation. Every fee paid is followed by another obstacle requiring another fee — taxes, legal clearance, customs, bank charges. Victims who have already paid once are psychologically committed and more likely to pay again. This continues until the victim either runs out of money or recognises the fraud.
No legitimate lottery, inheritance, or loan requires advance payment from the recipient. Any message claiming otherwise is almost certainly a scam regardless of how official the paperwork looks.
Common red flags
- You have 'won' or been 'selected' for a prize, inheritance, or opportunity you never applied for
- Any form of upfront fee is required to receive a promised payment
- Each payment you make creates a new reason for another payment before release
- Official-looking documents arrive to legitimise the claim (fake court orders, bank statements, government letters)
- You are asked to keep the arrangement confidential
- Contact arrived unsolicited via email, social media, or post
What to do now
- Do not pay any fee — any legitimate windfall is paid net of charges, not by you in advance
- Do not share bank account details or personal documents
- Report to your national fraud authority
- If you have already paid, contact your bank immediately and file a police report
- Warn friends and family, as the same fraudsters may contact others in your network
Frequently asked questions
Why do advance fee scam letters contain deliberate spelling errors?
Research suggests poor spelling filters out sceptical recipients, leaving only people who are genuinely credulous. Responding to a badly written letter signals to the fraudster that you are worth investing more time in.
Could a real inheritance or lottery notification ever arrive by email?
Legitimate lottery organisations contact winners through official channels and do not ask for fees from winners. Real solicitors handling unclaimed estates use verifiable firm details and registered addresses. Neither will ask for upfront payment to release funds.