"Greetings,
"We wish to notify you again that your name was mentioned as heir to the sum of 750,000.00 sterling pounds. In the last testament of our deceased client name now withed. I and my Heir Hunters Debt Recovery Unit team of the detectives, we are assisting distant relatives of people who have died with or without making any official will.
"As the heir hunter's team of detective, the race is now on for us to track down the often distant relatives in line for a windfall. We came across your profile and email while searching through genealogy database. Note as the heir hunters our aim is to assist people claim their lost relative fortune instead of the government or Bank MDS to use the money to in enrich their treasury. Please send an acknowledgment email to enable us process your inheritance with all due verification process."I look forward to hearing from you.
"Representative
"Faithfully,
"Admin
"United Kingdom"
God loves a trier, but I know my luck! Don't be taken in.
There are many genuine heir hunting firms out there, benefiting a range of people who would never have known of any entitlement to an inheritance without them. There are also many fraudsters. One of the most prominent legitimate firms is Fraser and Fraser. I have no connection to them at all, nor am I looking for one (heir hunting is not something I have an interest in), but the following video produced by the firm, entitled How to Spot a Scam, is well worth sharing:
The video is also on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lpfQ1C126IE
Chris
Pre-order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) for just £11.99 at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.
Interesting to see that the literacy levels of heir hunting scammers are about the same as any other online con artists...
ReplyDeleteWe regularly have reports of these scams. Alison is correct, the literacy level generally gives it away. If not, some basic due diligence is key. Never part with any money up front or provide your bank details. Check the company's website for relevant accreditations and cross-reference these with the organisations behind them. Ensure that the accreditation stands for something meaningful, and can't just be obtained by a subscription payment. Finally, give the company a call and speak with them about the matter and ask them for references.
ReplyDeletePhilip Turvey
Anglia Research
www.angliaresearch.co.uk