Advance Fee Fraud

An advance fee fraud will be familiar to many and most will have had mail delivered either electronically or through the post with the promise of vast returns for an advance fee. These crimes involve a confidence trick in which the target is persuaded to advance sums of money, in the hope of realising a significantly larger gain.

Among the variations of this type of scam are the Nigerian Letter (also called the 419 fraud), the Spanish Prisoner, and lottery/prize draw scams. A factor common to many confidence frauds is that the offender targets a vulnerable victim; it is therefore a determinant of seriousness for this type of fraud. An offender is more culpable if he or she deliberately targets a victim who is vulnerable as a result of old age, youth, or disability, and there is a more than usual serious degree of harm where the victim is particularly vulnerable. Losses made as a result of an advance fee scam can be large, and the emotional and psychological cost can be even higher.

Our Fraud lawyers are recognised experts in Advanced Fee Fraud cases. Get in touch to find out how we can help with your case.