What is inheritance fraud?

Inheritance fraud invents an inheritance and asks you to pay fees before receiving it. Report Fraud describes messages from supposed lawyers claiming that someone with your surname has died. 1

The promised inheritance does not exist. Requests for secrecy and repeated legal or banking fees can follow. 1

By Secordit. Last checked: 7 November 2026.

Go to the steps · All glossary terms

How does it work?

  1. A supposed lawyer contacts you about an unexpected inheritance. 1
  2. They claim a shared surname entitles you to receive the money. 1
  3. They demand fees, then invent reasons for further payments. 1

What Report Fraud describes

Report Fraud describes a supposed overseas lawyer proposing to split an unclaimed inheritance. The recipient is urged to keep the arrangement secret and pay fees. 1

What are the warning signs?

  • An unexpected inheritance offer depends on sharing a surname. 1
  • The supposed lawyer demands secrecy. 1
  • Further fees appear after each payment. 1

What to do now

  1. Stop contact and do not send further fees. 1
  2. Contact your bank if you paid a suspected inheritance scam. 12

UK reporting and support

  • If you paid a suspected scam, contact your bank using the number on your card. 23
  • Report fraud in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to Report Fraud. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. 34
  • If someone is in danger, call 999. 4
  • Forward suspicious emails to [email protected]. Forward suspicious texts to 7726. 5

How can you protect yourself?

  • Check unexpected legal contact through independently found details. 13
  • Do not share banking details with an unverified inheritance contact. 12

Frequently asked questions

Can criminals pretend to be lawyers?

Yes. Report Fraud describes supposed overseas lawyers approaching people about nonexistent inheritances. 1

Why can the fees not come from the inheritance?

In this scam there is no inheritance. The repeated fee requests are how the criminal takes money. 1

Could a recovery offer be another scam?

Yes. Report Fraud warns that people who paid can face follow-up recovery scams. 1

Matching kit

After a Scam: What to Do First · £7 · Digital download.

A printable UK checklist for money, account and reporting steps. It is general information, not a recovery service.

General information, not legal, financial or personalised security advice. Secordit is not a police or bank reporting service.

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Sources

  1. Report Fraud, Inheritance fraud. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  2. Report Fraud, Ticket fraud. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  3. Report Fraud, Police impersonation alert and reporting routes. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  4. Police Scotland, How to report a crime. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  5. GOV.UK, Avoid and report internet scams and phishing. Accessed 7 November 2026 (Europe/London).