Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California
Attorney claims I'm the heir, how to be certain?
I've been contacted by an Attorney from the United Kingdom (via email). Stating that I'm the heir to an estate worth over $18 million and that he'll be representing me in the UK to get this money transferred. I'm quite suspicious about this and wonder if it could be some kind of scam. I doubt I'm even the heir, since my last name is a married name and I'm no longer even married. He said that he had all of the proof necessary to present me as the heir. He has not shared what that information is. To test him, I explained that I would not be providing him any of my banking information and that perhaps he should be speaking with my attorney on this matter (i have no attorney). He said he'd never ask for my banking information since the funds are being held by a securities firm. Once they validate the heir that ''they'' will arrange the transfer of the funds to me. He also had no problem speaking to my attorney and provided me his phone number. Would he do that if this was a scam? All he has asked of me right now is my contact information, address and he'll need a copy of my identification. I don't want to be a receiver of these funds and then be arrested for fraud. Wonder if you think this is too good to be true,or if cases like happen?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Attorney claims I'm the heir, how to be certain?
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Has your family ever discussed relatives in Europe? I had another client who was contacted by email with a similar claim (the won a lottery there).
Tell them to send you a letter.
Re: Attorney claims I'm the heir, how to be certain?
The best solution is probably to retain an attorney. I would investigate the entire matter and the other attorney. Check court records. Death certificate authenticity. Sanguinity, etc. It may be a scam. However, occasionally people do inherit money. If you don't want to pay attorney's fees, I'd take it on contingency just to investigate and secure, just in case it is real.
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