Inheritance Scams
A distant relative has left you an inheritance — pay legal fees to claim
Emails from "lawyers" or "notaries" claiming a distant relative or deceased acquaintance has left you a large inheritance. To receive the money, you must pay upfront "legal fees," "taxes," or "court costs." The inheritance doesn't exist.
What to Watch For
- You've never heard of the relative or estate they mention
- Large sum of money ($500,000+) with a relatively small "fee" ($3,000)
- Lawyer is located in a different country from where you live
- Payment requested via wire transfer to an offshore account
Examples
""Dear Sir/Madam, I am Attorney Mensah of Golden Gate Law Firm, Ghana. Your uncle passed away recently and left you an inheritance of $750,000. To process the transfer, we need you to pay legal fees of $4,500. Please wire this amount urgently.""
Why it works: The promise of a large inheritance is life-changing. The fee seems small compared to the potential payout. People rationalize: "What if it's real?"
What to Do
If a stranger contacts you about an inheritance, it's a scam. Real estates are handled through probate courts, and lawyers will verify your identity through proper legal channels — not by asking for wire transfers. Delete the message and move on.