Inheritance Scam
Inheritance scams involve fraudsters posing as lawyers, bankers, or officials to convince victims they are entitled to a large sum of money from a deceased estate.
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Inheritance scams, also known as advance-fee fraud, lure victims with promises of a large inheritance from a distant relative or wealthy stranger. The catch is always fees — taxes, legal costs, or transfer charges — that must be paid before the non-existent money can be released. Each payment invents a new excuse, and no inheritance ever arrives.
How Inheritance Scams Are Carried Out
1. Unsolicited Contact
Victims receive unexpected emails or letters claiming they are the sole beneficiary of a deceased person's estate worth millions. The sender claims to be a lawyer, banker, or government official.
2. Request for Upfront Fees
To release the inheritance, victims must pay processing fees, legal charges, or bribes. After each payment, new fees are invented until the victim stops paying.
3. Elaborate False Documentation
Scammers provide convincing forged legal documents, death certificates, and bank letters to build credibility and justify each new payment request.
4. Urgency and Secrecy
Victims are pressured to act quickly and keep the matter secret, preventing them from consulting family, friends, or authorities who might identify the scam.
What to Look Out For
How to Protect Yourself from Inheritance Scams
Ignore Unsolicited Inheritance Claims
Treat all unsolicited emails or calls about unexpected inheritances as scams. Delete the messages and do not respond under any circumstances.
Never Pay Upfront Fees
No legitimate inheritance process requires you to pay fees in advance to an unknown individual or offshore account. Any such request is an absolute red flag.
Report to Authorities
Report inheritance scam attempts to the Singapore Police Force at 999 or 1800-255-0000 and to ScamShield to protect others in the community.
Report a Inheritance Scam
If you have been contacted about a suspicious inheritance or have already paid fees, report the scam to the police immediately.
Inheritance Scam: Your Questions Answered
Stay Informed, Stay Protected
Inheritance scams promise wealth but deliver only loss. Stay informed and always verify before paying.