Consumer Protection Editor · Atlanta, GA, USA
Related Donation & Lottery Guides
What Are Lottery & Inheritance Scams?
Scammers claim you won a lottery you never entered, inherited money from a stranger, or were chosen to receive a dying person’s fortune. They send emotional stories about charity, illness, or unclaimed estates — then demand fees to “release” the funds.
Warning Signs
- You were not expecting money from the sender
- A stranger’s will or donation names you specifically
- Requests for processing, legal, or transfer fees upfront
- Secrecy — “do not tell anyone until the transfer completes”
- Communication via free email (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail)
- Spelling and grammar errors in supposedly official messages
Real Scam Alerts on ScamReporting.org
- Donation of 1.5 Million
- Mrs. Jennette Godwi
- German €4.5M Donation Offer
- Mrs. Theresa Brown — Dying Benefactor
- Mark Cunning Ham Donation Offer
- Mrs. Ella Ellon Inheritance
- Mrs. Dorine Wood Donation
See the full collection in our advance-fee fraud hub.
What To Do
- Delete the message — do not reply
- Never send copies of your ID or bank details
- Report on Report a Scam
- Warn family members, especially seniors targeted by inheritance fraud
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a stranger really leave me money in their will?
Extremely unlikely. Legitimate estates contact beneficiaries through licensed attorneys, not random emails.
Why do donation scams mention cancer or terminal illness?
Emotional stories lower your guard and discourage skepticism. They are fabricated.
Is a lottery win legitimate if I only pay a small fee?
No. Real lotteries deduct taxes from winnings — they never ask winners to pay upfront.