What is 'Advanced Fee' fraud?

Have you ever received an email or letter which offers a large reward if you help to transfer a large amount of money?

The email or letter will often say that the money has come from bribes, government accounts or the unclaimed money from someone who has recently died. The fraud works by asking you to hand over your bank details - and pay an 'advance fee' in order to complete the deal.

The fraud may call the advance fee a tax, or even a bribe. However, if you pay the advance fee, you will receive nothing in return - and there is no hope of having your money returned.