advance fee scam
Pay-first fraud scheme
An advance fee scam is a fraud where the victim pays money upfront expecting a larger return that never materializes.
The classic version involves emails claiming you've inherited millions from a foreign dignitary—you just need to pay processing fees first.
Also called a 419 scam, after the Nigerian criminal code section addressing it: I almost fell for an advance fee scam promising lottery winnings.
- Nigerian princeEmail scam persona
- fake lotteryFraudulent prize scheme
- upfront paymentInitial sum before delivery
- send moneyTransmit payment remotely
- cybercrimeIllegal digital conduct
too good to be true · deception · swindle · wire fraud · emotional appeal · sob story · awareness campaigns · social engineering · urgent request · trust-building · pyramid scheme · hoax · bait-and-switch · trickery · blackmail · phishing · investment fraud · phone calls
advance fee scamidentity theft
Stealing personal data criminally
embezzlement · Ponzi scheme · credit card fraud · check fraud · insurance fraud
advance fee scamgift
Item given freely
donation · grant · free money · charitable contribution · windfall
advance, advances, advanced, advancing, advancement, fee, fees, scam, scams