Legal Question in International Law in Oregon

Be very, very suspicious. Do not give POA to anyone except a licensed US attorney. Do not pay money up front. Your concern about VAT tax comes after you have the money in your hands. I have not heard of this particular scam, but it smells like one.

It sounds like scam. Did you receive this information via email? I've received hundreds of similar emails in the recent past years (usually, from Africa, and never from a person alleging to be from Australia).

Power of attorney should never be given to an unknown person from overseas. Usually, people sign POA to their attorney or a person they trust. This individual is not an attorney, therefore, giving him a power of attorney doesn't seem to be wise.

As to whether you can contact Australian courts and get the money yourself, assuming that this is not a lie, the answer is yes and no. Yes, if you are a heir. No, as you don't even know the name of the alleged deceased relative in Australia and what court is handling his estate.

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