The black money scam originated around year 2000 and is initiated when the scammer contacts the victim over the phone, internet or via mail and tells the victim that they have won or inherited a large sum of cash that has been dyed black to avoid detection by customs officials. The victim is persuaded to pay the scammer (usually several thousand dollars) for "special" chemicals that are used to wash or clean the dye off. If they agree, the scammer tells the victim they will share the proceeds with them.

This scam may involve an actual face-to-face contact with the scammer where they will bring a suitcase full of currency-sized black construction paper, and may even do a brief demonstration on one actual bill to make it seem legitimate. Click here to view an ABC News-20/20 video on this scam.