People in Essex have been warned after fraudsters claiming to be from the Nigerian embassy tricked members of the public into sending them “substantial amounts” of money.

Detectives from Essex Police are investigating after reports of a fraud where victims are duped into paying to release inheritance money that does not exist.

The criminals contact members of the public, claiming a relative has died abroad and has left them a vast sum of money in their will.

They are then contacted by people claiming to be bank and government representatives, saying the process to retrieve the money will take several years and asking for payments to bypass administrative and tax costs.

As part of the scam, fraudsters target several victims at once and get them to transfer payments between themselves, each in the belief they are paying the bank or government.

However, the substantial amounts of money eventually end up with the criminals and no inheritance money is ever secured.

Essex Police is investigating a report of the fraud in Harlow.

Detective constable Leo Fordham, of Harlow CID, said: “These criminals are very convincing and prey on their victims’ trust.

“I would like to speak to anyone who has been contacted in a similar way and has transferred money or met people claiming to be involved in the process for releasing the alleged inheritance.

“Governments and large companies do not transfer money through individual accounts.

“If you receive any correspondence or phone calls, do not respond to them and do not send them any money.

“Never arrange a meeting in response to one of these frauds as you will not recover your money and you could put yourself in physical danger.”

Anyone in Essex who has been the victim of this fraud should contact DC Fordham on 101.

For more information and advice, visit www.essex.police.uk/advice/fraud and actionfraud.police.uk.