TL;DR: Advance fee fraud is when a scammer promises a large future payout (a loan, prize, or inheritance) in exchange for a smaller upfront fee, then disappears once the fee is paid. No legitimate lottery, loan, or inheritance requires you to pay a fee upfront before receiving funds. Treat any request like this as a scam.
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Advance fee fraud is when a scammer promises a large future payout (a loan, prize, or inheritance) in exchange for a smaller upfront fee, then disappears once the fee is paid.
How Advance Fee Fraud Works
The scammer presents a compelling reason for a large sum of money — a lottery win, loan approval, or inheritance — but claims a fee, tax, or "processing cost" must be paid first. Once paid, the promised payout never arrives.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Any promise of a payout that requires you to pay money first, communication that feels urgent or overly formal, and a payout that's contingent on secrecy or a fee that keeps growing.
How to Protect Yourself
No legitimate lottery, loan, or inheritance requires you to pay a fee upfront before receiving funds. Treat any request like this as a scam.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading What Is AI Voice Cloning Scams? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see What Is Angler Phishing? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Advance Fee Fraud?
Advance fee fraud is when a scammer promises a large future payout (a loan, prize, or inheritance) in exchange for a smaller upfront fee, then disappears once the fee is paid.
How does Advance Fee Fraud typically work?
The scammer presents a compelling reason for a large sum of money — a lottery win, loan approval, or inheritance — but claims a fee, tax, or "processing cost" must be paid first. Once paid, the promised payout never arrives.
What are the warning signs of Advance Fee Fraud?
Any promise of a payout that requires you to pay money first, communication that feels urgent or overly formal, and a payout that's contingent on secrecy or a fee that keeps growing.
How can I protect myself from Advance Fee Fraud?
No legitimate lottery, loan, or inheritance requires you to pay a fee upfront before receiving funds. Treat any request like this as a scam.
What should I do if I think I’ve encountered Advance Fee Fraud?
Stop responding immediately, do not click any links or share information, and report it to the appropriate authority. If money or personal information was already shared, act quickly to secure your accounts and report the incident.