Police alert sparked by ‘inheritance scam’ (From Gazette & Herald)

Police alert sparked by ‘inheritance scam’

9:24am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News

POLICE in North Yorkshire have issued a warning after receiving complaints about an inheritance scam.

Some residents have received letters recently from will executors claiming to represent banks overseas which are trying to trace the families of people who have died after making large investments.

The letters state that as next of kin cannot be traced, the recipient will be the beneficiary of the funds left behind and propose that the money is split between them and the bank.

The scam letters are usually from people claiming to represent banks in Hong Kong or Japan and mention sums of money worth millions of pounds.

Officers are appealing to the public to be on their guard and to be aware of scams of this nature.

Anyone concerned can phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.