Advance fee
The scam
A letter or email arrives offering you a huge payment in return for your help getting money out of a foreign country.
The writer will tell you they need to transfer money, usually US$10-20 million, to a bank in your country because of some major event such as the overthrow of a government. You're promised a slice of that money for helping with the transfer.
The writer might claim to be a senior government official, an accountant with a state-owned company, or a relative or lawyer of a deposed or dead politician. The letter will probably be marked 'Strictly Confidential' or 'Urgent' and say you've been specially chosen. You may be sent fake bank statements and similar documents, all intended to prove that the money exists and is heading your way.
You will be asked for your bank details so that the money can be deposited in your account. The fraudsters then use the information you give them to raid your bank account. Alternatively, you will be told to send an upfront fee. Of course, you'll get nothing in return.
This kind of scam is sometimes known as the '419 scam' or the 'Nigerian letter'.
There are other kinds of advance-fee fraud. The scammer might pose as:
- a charity raising money to help the victims of a disaster, conflict or epidemic
- a terminally ill mother, poor university student or other unfortunate person in need of your money
- a pet owner who has just moved overseas and offers to sell a puppy or exotic animal at a knock-down price
- someone from the Treasury Solicitor's Department informing you that you have inherited money but requiring a fee before sending more information or releasing the money.
In all these cases, the criminals are preying on your generosity.
Protect yourself
- Just say no. These kinds of offers will always be a scam and you'll lose your money.
- Be sceptical. Why would someone you don't know want to deposit money in your account? Why should you trust them?
- Never give your bank details to people you don't know.
If you think you've been a victim of this scam, call Consumer Direct for advice on 08454 04 05 06.
Example scams
You can view a mock-up of a typical advance-fee scam mailing from the link at the end of this page. When you hover your mouse over the text, pop-up boxes reveal the techniques that the scammers use to con you. If you click the warning sign at the top of the page, you can see where all of the pop-up boxes are located.
To view the example in the link below you will need to have Flash player installed on your computer. If you do not have Flash, you can download the software free from the Adobe Website.
Alternatively, view a text-only version of the advance-fee scam mailing.
Money laundering or 'money mules'
In a different kind of scam that also involves a 'money transfer' element, you'll be asked to receive a payment into your bank account, take it out as cash, and send it abroad using other means (such as a money-transfer service). For helping out, you'll be offered a commission. If you get involved, you may get the commission promised. But you'll probably be helping criminals to launder money. Money laundering is a serious criminal offence. Read about this money-laundering scam on the FSA website.
419/Advance fee fraud (flash file opens in new window)