Is the Advance Fee Fraud real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Advance Fee Fraud?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Advance Fee Fraud?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Advance Fee Fraud?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Advance Fee Fraud: Is It a Scam?

High Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Advance fee fraud is any scam where you are asked to pay money upfront to receive something of greater value, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, loan, or job. The promised reward never materializes, and each fee leads to another.

How This Scam Works

You receive a message claiming you have won a lottery, are the beneficiary of an inheritance from a distant relative, or have been approved for a large loan. To claim your windfall, you must first pay taxes, processing fees, legal costs, or customs charges. Each payment leads to another required fee. The scammer invents endless obstacles requiring more money: new taxes, clearance certificates, anti-terrorism compliance fees. Victims can lose thousands chasing a payout that never existed. The classic Nigerian prince email is the most famous example, but modern versions are more sophisticated.

Red Flags to Watch For

You must pay money to receive money
Winning a lottery you never entered
Inheritance from someone you have never heard of
Pre-approved loan without a credit check
Each payment leads to another required fee
Communication from a foreign country with vague institutional names

Example Scam Messages

Email: 'Dear Beneficiary, I am Barrister James Okonkwo representing the estate of the late Dr. Richard King. You have been named as the next of kin to a $4.7 million estate. To commence the transfer, a processing fee of $2,500 is required for legal documentation.' --- Email: 'CONGRATULATIONS! Your email was selected in the Microsoft International Lottery draw. You have won $1,000,000 USD. To process your winnings, please pay the mandatory tax clearance fee of $500 via Western Union.' --- Text: 'You've been pre-approved for a $50,000 personal loan at 2.9% APR. To finalize, a $200 insurance fee is required upfront. Reply YES to proceed.'

What to Do If You Received This

You will never have to pay to receive legitimate winnings or inheritance
Delete messages about lotteries you did not enter
Legitimate loans do not require upfront fees before approval
Never wire money to claim a prize
Be suspicious of any request to pay fees in advance of receiving money

What to Do If You Fell For It

Stop all payments immediately
Contact your bank about any wire transfers
Do not pay additional fees even if threatened with losing previous payments
File a police report
Accept that previous payments are likely unrecoverable

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report international scams to econsumer.gov
Report to the US Postal Inspection Service if communication came by mail

Last updated: February 10, 2026