{"success":true,"data":{"id":"fake-inheritance-unclaimed-estate-scam","label":"Fake inheritance / unclaimed estate scam — barrister/lawyer contacts you about deceased relative's millions + you are next of kin + provide bank details to transfer","description":"Email from a self-described lawyer, barrister, solicitor, banker, or estate administrator claiming that a deceased person with the same surname as the recipient left a large unclaimed estate (typically $4M–$15M) and that the recipient has been identified as the \"next of kin\" or \"sole beneficiary.\" To proceed, the victim must provide bank account details, pay \"handling charges,\" \"transfer fees,\" or \"legal fees,\" and keep the matter confidential. Also known as advance-fee fraud, 419 fraud, or Nigerian prince scam in its estate variant. FBI IC3 2024: advance fee fraud caused $134M in reported losses; real probate processes are initiated by official court notices, never unsolicited personal emails. The scam preys on financial vulnerability and the allure of sudden wealth.","tier":"danger","category":"scam","isThin":false}}