Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York

Next of Kin

A personal Acct Relation officer from a bank in South Africa has contacted me. He stated that he his holding $6.5 mil US, due to the account owner and his immediate family dying. He states that he is contacting me to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by his customer before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by his bank and that the proceeds of this account can be paid to him and then myself and we can share the money 60% to him and 40% to me. I have informed him repeatedly that I am surely not the next of kin, but he states that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect me from any breach of the law. I am terribly reserved about getting involved in such a transaction with fear that I will be breaking some law that neither him nor I are aware of. Do I proceed with this and go against everything moral and possible legal to satisfy my own need for money.


Asked on 6/14/05, 7:14 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

Andrew Nitzberg Andrew Nitzberg & Associates

Re: Next of Kin

Welcome! You have joined the rest of us as a target for this particular scam.

This is an attempt to exploit our gullibility and greed. The government cannot help because they originate outside the United States.

Its just another spam. Be neither insulted or tempted; the only appropriate response is amusement.

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Answered on 6/15/05, 8:30 am
Walter LeVine Walter D. LeVine, Esq.

Re: Next of Kin

THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SCAM THAT HAS BEEN GOING AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AS PART OF A PLAN FOR IDENTITY THEFT. I HAVE RECEIVED A SIMILAR E-MAIL. MY SUGGESTION IS NOT TO RESPOND, REPORT IT (BY A FORWARDING E-MAIL), TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW YORK FOR POSSIBLE PROSECUTION.

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Answered on 6/14/05, 7:31 am
Norman Nadel Norman Nadel, Esq.

Re: Next of Kin

Call these folks

United States Fraud Unit 1-800-876-7060

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Answered on 6/14/05, 8:02 am


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