Our firm was recently approached by an individual seeking legal advice after falling victim to a so‑called “Canadian inheritance” scam. This type of fraud has been reported repeatedly in Germany and follows a familiar pattern:
Victims receive emails appearing to come from a Canadian lawyer claiming that they are entitled to a million‑dollar inheritance, supposedly from a distant relative’s life insurance policy. To claim the funds, they are asked to provide personal information and pay “upfront fees” for notarial services, administrative expenses, or taxes.
Important: These inheritances do not exist. Such communications are well‑crafted fraud attempts designed to obtain money and personal data.
This July, the German news agency n-tv reported about these scams and the European consumer protection agency in Germany issued warnings already in 2023:
Beware of scams: Alleged million-dollar inheritance
JACOB LAW is unable to provide legal consultation in cases such as these because they are criminal attempts at fraud rather than actual probate proceedings.
Recommended actions per consumer protection authorities:
- Do not respond to the message.
- Do not share any personal details.
- Do not send any money.
- File a report with your local police department.
We also encourage you to inform relatives and friends — particularly older individuals, who are often the primary targets of such scams.
Stay vigilant: Genuine inheritances rarely arrive unexpectedly and are communicated through formal legal channels.
