Lottery, Inheritance, and Advance-Fee Scams: Paying to Get Money

The advance-fee scam — sometimes called 419 fraud after a section of the Nigerian Criminal Code — is one of the oldest financial frauds in existence. Despite decades of public awareness, it continues to cost South Africans millions of rands every year. It persists because it exploits something fundamental in human psychology: the hope of an unexpected windfall.

The premise is simple. A large sum of money is waiting for you — a lottery win, an unclaimed inheritance, a business deal requiring discretion, or government funds to be released. All you need to do is pay a small fee to unlock it. The fee is paid. A new obstacle appears. Another fee is required. This cycle repeats until the victim runs out of money, realises the scam, or the scammer decides to disappear.

Common advance-fee narratives

Scammers adapt their stories to sound credible. Common versions in South Africa include:

The lottery win

You receive an email or SMS informing you that you have won a foreign lottery — often the UK National Lottery, the European EuroMillions, or an international online promotion. You have no memory of entering, but the prize is large enough to feel worth investigating. You're told to keep it confidential and to contact a "claims agent" to begin the process.

The inheritance from a distant relative

A lawyer in a foreign country has located you as the next of kin of a deceased individual — often sharing your surname — who left behind a substantial estate. To claim your share, you need to pay legal fees, transfer taxes, or registration costs. Each payment unlocks a new requirement.

The foreign official seeking help

A government official, businessperson, or senior military figure in a troubled country needs help moving a large sum of money out of the country. They will give you a substantial share in exchange for using your bank account. This version, originating in Nigeria, became so notorious it's often called a "Nigerian Prince" scam — but the same template is used by criminals worldwide.

The stuck package

A package from overseas containing cash, gold, gems, or a valuable item has been intercepted by customs and requires a release fee, duty payment, or insurance charge before it can be delivered to you. Often follows a romance scam where the "partner" is sending a gift.

The government grant or business loan

You've been selected for a government grant, COVID relief fund, SASSA payment, or low-interest business loan. You need to pay an admin fee or "facilitation payment" to access it.

How the scam escalates

The advance-fee scam rarely asks for a large amount upfront. The initial request is small enough to feel manageable — a few hundred to a few thousand rands. When paid, a new obstacle materialises: a tax clearance certificate, a transfer fee, a notary fee, an insurance payment, a currency conversion charge, or a bribe for a corrupt official. Each payment is justified by the promise of the much larger reward just around the corner.

Victims can lose hundreds of thousands of rands across multiple payments over months, each payment rationalised by the amount already invested and the proximity of the supposed payout.

Warning signs

• Unsolicited notification of a win, inheritance, or business opportunity — if you didn't enter, you didn't win.
• Requests for secrecy — "do not tell your family" or "this must remain confidential."
• Payment required to receive money — no legitimate payment requires you to pay in order to receive funds.
• Pressure to act quickly before the opportunity expires.
• Communication from strangers offering you life-changing sums for minimal effort.
• Payment via gift cards, crypto, mobile money, or cash — untraceable methods are always a red flag.
• Inconsistencies in the story — changing names, amounts, or circumstances.

How to protect yourself

• Apply the core rule: you cannot win a competition you didn't enter, and no one gives away large sums of money to strangers.
• Never pay any fee to receive money — ever.
• Do not verify through the contact the scammer provides — they control that contact.
• Talk to a trusted person before taking any action — scammers rely on isolation and secrecy.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it is, without exception.

If you've been scammed

1. Stop all payments immediately. No further payment will result in receiving any money — the promised funds do not exist.
2. Preserve all communications — emails, SMSes, chat records, payment receipts, and any documents provided.
3. Report to SAPS and open a case for fraud.
4. Contact your bank — if you transferred money recently, a recall may be possible.
5. Report the email or number to the platform or carrier it came from.

Frequently asked questions

Why do advance-fee scammers mention large, specific amounts?

Specificity creates believability. "R47,300,000" sounds more real than "a lot of money." Scammers have refined these psychological techniques over decades. The large amount also makes the small initial fees seem proportionally reasonable.

Is it illegal to respond to an advance-fee scam?

Responding is not illegal, but participating in moving funds through your account as part of what you're told is a legitimate deal may expose you to money laundering charges if the funds turn out to be from criminal activity. Always be cautious about using your bank account on behalf of strangers.

Can scammers be prosecuted in South Africa?

Yes. Advance-fee fraud is a criminal offence under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Cybercrimes Act. SAPS can investigate and, with Interpol cooperation, pursue scammers operating from other countries. Reporting contributes to intelligence even when immediate prosecution isn't possible.