Inheritance Scam

After building a relationship, the scammer claims to be owed a large inheritance that is tied up in legal or banking processes overseas, and asks the victim to help cover fees to release the funds — which are then split as a reward.

• Promises a large future payout in exchange for a smaller payment now
• Involves an unfamiliar foreign bank or law firm
• Documents provided look unofficial or inconsistent
• Urgency increases as the "deadline" for the funds approaches
• Asks for repeated smaller payments rather than one clear fee
• Refuses to use any traceable, reversible payment method