The black money scam , also called the “wash wash scam”, involves a fraudster trying to obtain money from a victim by telling them they have a pile of banknotes which has been dyed black.
The money was dyed to avoid detection at customs, for example, and special chemicals are needed to wash the money back to its original state. The victim is told if they pay for these chemicals, they will get a cut of the cash.
One version of the scam involves the victim being told they are the sole beneficiary of a recently-deceased, long-lost relative. The relative left behind a large trunk “contents unknown” for the victim.
The victim is sent pictures of the trunk, which contains black-stained dollar bills. A reason is given for the money being stained, and the fraudster advises that the chemical is needed to clean the money.
The price of the chemical is sent to the victim, who then sends money to the fraudster.