Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Indiana

Non related beneficiary

I was sent an email by a man claiming to be a lawyer in Malaysia this is what it said;

''Dear--name removed--

I am Frank Lee , an attorney at law. A deceased

client of mine, by name Mr.Mike--name removed-- who

hereinafter shall be referred to as my client, died as

a result of a heart-related condition in November

2004.

I have contacted you to assist in distributing the

money left behind by my client before it is

confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank

where this deposit valued at US3.5 million dollars is

lodged.

This bank has issued me a notice to contact the next

of kin, or the account will be confiscated.

My proposition to you is to seek your consent to

present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary of my

named client, since you have the same last name, so

that the proceeds of this account can be paid to you.

Then we can share the amount on a mutually

agreed-upon percentage.

All legal documents to back up your claim as my

client's next-of-kin will be provided.All I require is

your honest cooperation to enable us see this

transaction through.

This will be executed under a legitimate arrangement

that will protect you from any breach of the law. Is this legal?


Asked on 11/19/05, 12:08 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
C. David DuMond Law Offices of David DuMond

Re: Non related beneficiary

Think how rich you will be if you only provide your "honest cooperation" with this unknown entity who is trying to get three and a half million dollars out of the grasping hands of the Malaysian authorities! Unfortunately, you have already demonstrated a lack of trust. As you must have suspected, this is a scam. Eventually, you will be asked to front several thousand dollars of your real money, while the scammers' millions of play money goes glimmering. This week I heard about a case like this where it was the grasping Canadian authorities who were going to confiscate this decedent's estate unless this trustworthy Hoosier citizen helped out. At the end, the "Canadian lawyer" sent the Hoosier a $20,000 cashier's check, in exchange for the Hoosier's $4,000.00. The cashier's check turned out to be bogus, and the Hoosier's money was down a rathole; no trace. Your best bet is to completely avoid further contact with these scam artists. Good luck.

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Answered on 11/19/05, 11:20 am


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