Lottery & prize
Is the inheritance email a scam?
Quick answer
Yes. The 'distant relative left you millions' email is one of the oldest internet scams (also called the '419 scam' after the Nigerian penal code). Sometimes a barrister, sometimes a banker, sometimes a wealthy expat with cancer — the script is always the same. There is no inheritance.
Red flags to look for
- From a stranger claiming to be a lawyer, barrister, banker, or executor
- Says a distant relative (or unnamed expat with your surname) died with no heirs
- Promises millions if you'll 'claim' the inheritance
- Asks for 'processing fees,' 'legal fees,' or 'tax clearance' to release the funds
- Wants your bank details, copy of ID, or signature on documents
- Often poorly written English, urgent tone, lots of formal-looking but fake credentials
Real examples
Email
Dear Friend, I am Barrister James Okafor of Lagos, Nigeria. A client with your surname recently passed away with no known relatives, leaving $14.5 million unclaimed. As an attorney, I propose we claim it together — 60% to you, 40% to me. I need only $3,400 in processing fees to begin filings. Reply urgently.
Likely Scam
The setup is fabricated. The 'fees' will escalate — court fees, transfer fees, tax fees, anti-money-laundering fees. Each one is the last before the money is released. The money will never come.
What to do
- Don't reply. Replying just confirms the address.
- Delete the email.
- If repeated, mark as spam.
- Don't share ID, banking, or signature with anyone reaching out unprompted about money.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your local police if losses occurred.
Not sure about a message? Check it in seconds.
Paste any suspicious text, email, link, or screenshot into Double Check and get a plain-English answer instantly. Free to start. Family alerts included.
Why scammers use this approach
The inheritance scam has the highest yield per 'mark' of any classic scam — successful runs can extract tens of thousands of dollars over months. It targets greed and the universal fantasy of unexpected windfalls.
Frequently asked questions
What if my relative really did die abroad?
Real inheritances are handled by real attorneys you can verify (bar association registration, real address, real firm website). They never collect upfront fees from beneficiaries.