How advance-fee scams work.
The Nigerian prince email is an advance-fee scam. It offers a huge reward, but asks you to pay first.
1Barrister James Okoro
2Confidential inheritance notice
A late client who shares your surname left £8.4 million. To release the funds, reply today and pay the £460 legal certificate fee.
3Reply confidentiallyThree warning signs
- A stranger says you can claim an inheritance, prize, or frozen fortune.
- The sum is huge, but the story needs secrecy and a fast reply.
- You must send money, ID, or bank details before you get anything.
This made-up message uses a known scam pattern. It shows no real person, firm, or email.
Why it works
The huge reward makes the first fee feel small. Once you pay, a new tax, form, or transfer problem appears.
What to do now
- Do not reply, pay, or send identity documents.
- If you paid, call your bank now and ask them to stop the transfer.
- Keep the email and payment records, then report the fraud.
Klar catches spam in Apple Mail.
Klar moves spam and phishing to Junk. It cannot check who a person is or get stolen money back.
