What is Advance Fee Fraud?
Someone asked me to pay an upfront fee but they haven’t provided what I paid for.
Fraudsters target victims to make upfront payments for fake goods, services, lending and financial gains.
The fraudster will promise you a significant share of a large sum of money, in return for a small up-front payment. Once you have made the first payment it’s likely they will invent more fees you will need to send.
Examples may include:
You’re asked to pay a fee upfront to cover the costs of background checks or a training programme for a job you’ve recently been offered that may not exist
You’re asked to pay a fee upfront to receive money you weren’t expecting, possibly from a long lost relative
You’re asked to pay a fee upfront to received your prize from a competition you’ve entered
They will always ask you to make the payment via bank transfer directly to them.
For more information about advice on how to keep yourself safe from fraud, head to monzo.com/fraud.
If you've been tricked by a fraudster into sending them money, please chat to us in the app so we can help:
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