SCAM

[jay-ell71]

Hi Folks,
Yesterday I received a letter informing me that my name was the same as someone who had deposited a very large sum of money in a Hong Kong bank and then had died intestate. It suggested that I might be the beneficiary and that the writer would be able to release the money to me, if I would share it with him 50-50…….

Obviously this is a scam and of course I won't be replying, but I find this pretty disturbing. My question is to whom do I report this? Or is it best to do nothing? I have looked up Trading Standards, but that doesn't seem to be the right place. Any advice would be gratefully received. J

[david63]

Was in email or snail mail?

I get at least three a day by email and by rights I should be a muti millionaire by now

[Meg 50]

while it might not be trading standards - they'll be able to point you in the right direction

[Frank Manning]

Just delete it Jay. Also watch out for scam e mails supposed to come from pay pal, BT, and Lloyds Bank. I am getting them fairly regularly. I just delete the lot. They are a pain.

[Meg 50]

my daughter got one from DHL yesterday about a parcel they couldn't deliver..... Luckily the spam filter caught it and she knew she had nothing due, but at this time of year an easy one to fall for

[jay-ell71]

Thanks everyone …….. It is a snail mail letter not an e-mail. I think I will just ignore it for now and hope there is no follow up.

I can understand how some people might get tempted to go with this sort of thing. The amount of money involved is huge. On the other hand the huge amount of money should really prove that it is all nonsense. J

[Boris+]

Oh that is really naughty - could you not perhaps give the letter to the police? I am sure that there must be a central fraud organisation who might appreciate more evidence.

Em

[Manoverboard]

My Mother had a similar letter about the estate of a Multi Millionaire in Ohio to whom the writer believed she was related. As it happens she was but there were so many others that hes share was about $100

Anyhowz, if it is for real then it will have come from a traceable Legal Company, if ' Yes ' then check direct with the registered Company itself but NOT using the Telephone Number or Adreess on the letter and if ' No ' then simply ignore it.

[Silver_Shiney]

I've not heard of this sort of of scam being done by snail mail before...

I used to get loads, offering me 30-40% of the funds if I would help to import them out of Fairyland. I once received one offering me 10%. I replied (from a one-time email address) stating that I had plenty of other offers with higher percentages, and if he had to try an illegal scam, at least be competitive.

There are some fun stories here

[Frank Manning]

I have Alan. We had a spate of them a few years ago, and shredded every one. If they originate abroad it is almost impossible for them to be caught, but if they appear to originate in the UK it might be worth trying to take it further.

[Silver_Shiney]

We do get a lot of emails "from" Paypal and the banks - I always forward these to the appropriate fraud department.