Advance-fee scheme

An advance-fee scheme is a type of fraudulent scam where the scammer convinces victims to pay upfront fees in order to receive a larger sum of money or a valuable service in the future. Often, these schemes promise investment returns, lottery winnings, or inheritance money. Once the victim pays, the scammer disappears, leaving them with financial loss and no promised reward. It's important to be cautious of offers that require payment before receiving anything, as legitimate opportunities typically do not ask for advance fees.