The $57.5 Million “Inheritance”: Is an Old Scam Making a Comeback?

Imagine receiving an email from someone claiming to be an employee of a major French bank. The message says that you may be entitled to an inheritance worth $57.5 million from a person you have never met. All you need to do is provide a few personal details — your full name, home address, phone number, and occupation.

At first glance, it may sound like an extraordinary stroke of luck. However, an examination of the message reveals that it bears all the hallmarks of one of the oldest and most widespread internet fraud schemes: the inheritance scam.

A “Bank Employee” With an Unusual Offer

The editorial office received an email from an individual identifying himself as François-André Garnier, allegedly an employee of the French banking group Société Générale.

According to the message, one of the bank’s clients has died, leaving behind a deposit of $57.5 million. The sender claims that no close relatives have been found and suggests that the recipient could be presented as the deceased’s heir.

In return, the sender proposes splitting the funds on a 60/40 basis, with both parties allegedly benefiting from the arrangement. This is precisely where the first warning signs begin to appear.

Why Is the Email Suspicious?

First, the identity of the deceased client is not disclosed. The email provides no information about the person’s name, date of death, nationality, estate proceedings, or legal jurisdiction.

Second, legitimate inheritance cases are handled through courts, probate procedures, lawyers, executors, and notaries. It is highly unusual—and legally questionable—for a stranger to be contacted by email and offered millions of dollars from an unknown estate.

Third, the sender explicitly proposes that the recipient be identified as a relative of the deceased. Such a proposal would involve providing false information and potentially committing fraud.

Another major red flag is the promise of a massive financial reward without any credible explanation. Cybersecurity experts have long noted that scammers frequently rely on promises of easy wealth to manipulate victims into responding.

What Kind of Scam Is This?

Security experts classify this type of fraud as an inheritance scam or advance-fee fraud. In these schemes, fraudsters pose as lawyers, bankers, notaries, or representatives of international organizations and claim that a large inheritance awaits an unsuspecting recipient.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has repeatedly warned consumers about such scams. According to the agency, scammers often claim that a wealthy individual died without heirs and that the recipient has been selected to receive part of the fortune. In reality, the inheritance does not exist. The goal is to obtain personal information, money, or both.

The Figure of $57.5 Million Is Not Random

A review of similar scam reports shows that nearly identical emails mentioning $57.5 million have circulated online before. Fraudsters often reuse the same templates, changing only names, job titles, or company affiliations.

The repeated appearance of the exact same amount strongly suggests that this is not a genuine inheritance case but rather part of a mass-distributed scam campaign.

Online scam-awareness communities have documented numerous examples of similar inheritance schemes that follow the same pattern: an unknown benefactor, a large fortune, and a request for personal information.

How the Fraud Usually Progresses

The first stage typically involves collecting personal information from the victim. Once communication is established, the scammers begin requesting payments.

Common excuses include:

• Inheritance taxes;

• Bank processing fees;

• Legal expenses;

• Document certification costs;

• International transfer charges;

• Account verification fees.

Victims are told that these payments are necessary before the inheritance can be released. However, each payment is usually followed by new demands and additional fees. The promised fortune never arrives.

In many cases, fraudsters also request copies of passports, bank account details, or other sensitive documents. This information can later be used for identity theft or additional financial crimes.

Real Victims Have Lost Significant Sums

Inheritance scams are far from harmless. Around the world, victims have lost thousands—and sometimes hundreds of thousands—of dollars after believing they were about to receive a large inheritance.

Discussions on online fraud forums consistently describe the same pattern: scammers promise a fortune, demand fees for processing or legal services, and continue inventing new costs for as long as the victim keeps paying.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that legitimate law firms and estate executors do not require people to pay upfront fees simply to learn about or claim an inheritance.

What Should You Do If You Receive Such an Email?

Experts recommend the following steps:

• Do not reply to the message;

• Do not send personal information;

• Do not provide copies of identification documents;

• Do not click on links or open attachments;

• Do not transfer money under any circumstances;

• Report the message as spam or fraud.

Verdict

The claims contained in the email received by the editorial office could not be independently verified. On the contrary, the message displays nearly every characteristic associated with a classic inheritance scam: an unidentified deceased person, a promise of millions of dollars, a request to pose as a relative, and attempts to collect personal information.

Verdict: FALSE.