Inheritance Scams

All those people working online know that scam exists in the world. What everybody does not know is how to recognise and identify online scams. Validation scams can be very convincing and there are many pointers one can be vigilant of.

What exactly is an inheritance scam?

It is a specific type of scam that uses the story of a person who is died recently and left his estate for you (the intended victim).

A scammer may contact you out of nowhere to convey to you that you can collect a large inheritance from a wealthy benefactor or a distant relative. You may be communicated by email, post, mobile/phone, SMS, or social networking message.

The scammer usually pretends to be a banker, a lawyer, or other government official and claims that the deceased had no other legatees behind him.

Sometimes the scammer will let you know that you are legally in your own right can claim the inheritance. They may also say that an unrelated rich and well-off person has died without writing a will and you can legally inherit the fortune by plugging in some legal loopholes since you share the same surname with the deceased. Or they are trying to find a relative to claim the inheritance.

How does the scammer work?

He will let you know there is a little hurdle claiming the claim due to bank restrictions or government officials or some small amount of unpaid taxes. After that, he will ask for your details, bank details and tell you to pay a small amount of money that will be needed to settle the claim.

Scammers will cook a story to convince you that you will get a fortune if you follow their recommendations or instruction. They will also show you documents that look very real, with signature, power of attorney to prove their point. These fake documents are all fabricated and untrue.

In some cases, scammers will also introduce to second or third or fourth scammers posing as lawyers, bankers, tax agents, and government officials. So they can expedite and facilitate the claim easily and smoothly in your favour.

How the scammer does come to know you about you?

The scammers easily buy’ the list from another scammer who has all the details regarding many people from the grey market. The list has details of hundreds and hundreds of people. Even if small numbers of people show positive responses the scammers will pay willingly for the cost of that “list”.

After a few exchanges, the scammer will ask for your bank details so that the amount can be transferred. You will gladly give details of your bank in anticipation of a huge amount that will be credited into your account. Once the scammers lay hold of details they will clean your account, steal your identity and use your credit card details and enjoy a happy life.

Protecting yourself from inheritance scams.

If you get communication from an unknown person regarding inheritance better do not respond. If you reply to scammers you give out more information about yourself. The scammers get access to your IP address and find other ways to pilfer your data. It is better not to click unknown links in the email.

If you have been scammed you can contact Scam Victims Help. You can let them know the logo and method the scammers used. A small story on how you were scammed. Be suspicious and stay alert to safeguard yourself from inheritance scams. We are there to help you out.

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