Inheritance scam preys on vulnerable Havering residents
Havering Police are warning vulnerable residents. Picture: John Stillwell/PA - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Police have received more than 10 reports of an inheritance scam trying to pry hard earned cashed from vulnerable residents in the last month.
Letters have been sent to residents claiming to be from someone called Kun Que in China offering a large payout following the death of a relative.
But the scammer asks the would-be victim to respond to an email and to pay in advance for processing the claim.
The devious con artist writes that the recipient should keep communication secret allowing them to be exploited without interference.
Havering Police are warning residents about the scam and are appealing to people to alert anyone they think may fall victim to such a crime.
Pc Steve Hartland said: “Years of experience have taught us that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
“These scams prey on the most vulnerable in our communities and are targeting their hard earned cash, and in some cases their life savings.
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“Anyone who receives a communication of this type should not keep it to themselves. Please discuss it with someone else, don’t part with any money and if in doubt call police for advice on 101.”
The letter from “Kun Que” claims he worked as a private investigator for a deceased victim of the recipient who stored a significant profit in a Chinese bank.
The funds remain unclaimed, he continues, and the money will go to the government if no-one acts.
But to claim the cash, the victim must hand over a significant sum of money as an admin cost.
Contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you receive are concerned about a similar letter.
