High riskRomance

Inheritance Romance Scam

In this scam, an online partner claims to have a large inheritance or fortune they will share with you, but needs your help paying fees, taxes, or transfer costs to unlock it, which never ends.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Romance + advance-fee
Main red flag
A partner promising to share an inheritance if you help pay fees to release it.
What to do first
Do not pay any fees; a real inheritance is not unlocked by your payments.

How this scam works

In this scam, an online partner claims to have a large inheritance or fortune they will share with you, but needs your help paying fees, taxes, or transfer costs to unlock it, which never ends.

Romance scams build a genuine-feeling bond over days or weeks, then introduce a crisis or investment that needs your money. They rely on fast intimacy, an inability to meet in person, and requests that shift to gift cards or cryptocurrency.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A partner promising to share an inheritance if you help pay fees to release it. Do not pay any fees; a real inheritance is not unlocked by your payments.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Inheritance Scam and the Widow Romance Scam. See the full Romance & Dating Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A promise to share an inheritance or fortune
  • Requests to pay fees, taxes, or transfer costs
  • Escalating costs to 'finally' release the money
  • Avoidance of meeting in person or on video
  • Pressure and promises of a shared future

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I've inherited a fortune we can share, but I need you to pay the transfer fees and taxes to release it first.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: A partner promising to share an inheritance if you help pay fees to release it.

The scale of it

$1B+
romance scams are among the costliest frauds by total reported losses in the US
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that began on social media in 2023, where many romance scams start
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Do not pay fees to release someone's 'inheritance'
  • Be aware this is a classic advance-fee romance scam
  • Verify identity and refuse escalating requests
  • Report the profile and block the account

Already responded? Do this now

  • Stop paying, especially 'one final' fee
  • If you paid, contact your bank or payment provider
  • Keep messages as evidence and report it
  • Seek support from people you trust

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay fees or taxes to unlock a 'fortune'
  • Do not send gift cards or crypto
  • Do not believe escalating 'almost there' promises

Related scams to know

Medium risk Email

Inheritance Scam

This scam emails you out of the blue claiming you are the beneficiary of a large inheritance or unclaimed estate, often from a distant relative or stranger, then asks for fees, bank details, or documents to 'release' the money that never exists.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Romance

Widow Romance Scam

In this scam, a fraudster adopts a grieving widow or widower persona to win sympathy and trust, then asks for money for hardship, debts, or to access a late spouse's funds.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Social Media

Romance Scam DM

This scam builds an online romantic relationship through messages, then invents an emergency or investment to ask for money, while always avoiding meeting in person.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Could the inheritance be real?
No. A genuine inheritance is not released by you paying fees or taxes to a partner. Endless 'release' costs are a hallmark of advance-fee romance scams.
Why do the fees keep increasing?
Each payment is followed by a new 'final' fee. The money does not exist, and the requests continue as long as you pay.
I paid some fees. What now?
Stop paying, contact your bank or payment provider, keep evidence, report the profile, and confide in someone you trust.
How do I respond to such an offer?
Treat any promise to share a fortune in exchange for fees as a scam, refuse to pay, and verify the person's identity.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.