Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Nigeria
Can I accept an inheritance if I don't know I'm next of kin
I may be next of kin to a large inheritance. The 3 year search for a relative has come up negative and I am the next on the list. I have been asked to fill out an application to get the money from the deceased lawyer in Nigeria. What legal consequences are to accepting this money if I do not know if I am the next of kin? If there are no legal ramifications, then what percentage tax would I have to pay?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Can I accept an inheritance if I don't know I'm next of kin
Dear Sir,
Our advise to you is to completely disegrad this correspondence it is a case of pure fraud. There is likely no inheritance money or anything close to that.
This kind of correspondence is called "419" by us here in Nigeria after the criminal Act provision for the advance fee fraud.
Please disregard this correspondence.
Re: Can I accept an inheritance if I don't know I'm next of kin
If the inheritance was a bequest by will, there are usually named benificiaries. In the event that a person died intestated, a letter of administration is usually obtained before the property/estate can be administered. In this document the adminiatrators of the estate usually administers the estetae as they deem appropriate.
However, in recent times there has been unusual wave of internet scams using the inheritance bait.
It is necessary that you are extremely careful that you are not a target of a scam.
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