In short
A message says a wealthy person has died and the recipient can receive a large inheritance The objective is typically to collect advance fees and sensitive information for a nonexistent inheritance.
What it is
The fraudster claims the recipient is an heir/beneficiary or can help release dormant funds. The victim is then pushed to provide identity/bank details and pay legal, transfer, tax or processing charges.
How it starts
A message says a wealthy person has died and the recipient can receive a large inheritance.
What they tell you
The fraudster claims the recipient is an heir/beneficiary or can help release dormant funds
What they want you to do
Provide identity/bank details and pay legal, transfer, tax or processing charges
How you lose money
collect advance fees and sensitive information for a nonexistent inheritance
What happens next
After the first successful step, the fraudster may demand more money/information, deepen account or device access, or disappear.
Warning signs
greed | trust | urgency | authority | advance-fee fraud | forged documents
Where this is documented
India — officially documented by an Indian authority/regulator
How to avoid it
Do not pay fees, taxes or clearance charges to receive an unsolicited prize, inheritance or large fund; verify through an independent official channel.
If it already happened
Contact the bank/payment provider immediately if money moved; report financial cyber fraud promptly via 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in; preserve messages, transaction IDs, phone numbers and URLs.