Heir Hunters

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Received a letter today from a firm in Ipswich called AngliaResearch purporting that I'm likely to be a beneficiary to an intestate estate ( bono vacantia ) asking me to sign an agreement giving away a third plus vat if it all materialises . My first thought is to bin it but I researched the firm through their national website - everything tallies ie telephone/fax numbers , logos , even the signature on the letter marries up with the named staff on the website - passed the agreement wording by a solicitor friend who believes its pretty standard stuff. Clearly they're not going to name the " long lost relative " who died but the family name they say they're researching does tie up with my family line some time back. Anyone out there had a similar experience ? Anyone heard of this firm ? Is there a way of trying to identify the deceased ? I have brothers who would hold the same status as me - what would happen if not all of us signed up ?

Sounds too good to be true so probably is but you never know ! If it is a scam then the only way I can think of to get money out of me is to eventually say they are holding the inheritance and if I send some money they'll release it - at that point I would bin it !
 
Another way is to send you a cheque for the full amount, ask you to pay them their share, then weeks later they can still cancel the cheque.
 
Worth a punt. As long as it doesnt turn out to be Unlce Benson in Uganda who has £10bn Ugandan Shillings. If it's him, I'm the nearest relative, and I've already claimed :rofl:
 
Stuart Truman said:
Just go to the Bona Vacantia government website. Apparently they are helpful and no fees

http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/


Yes I tried this but the problem is who am I searching for? I've tried identfying someone with my surname or the surname of the family being researched but unsuccessful. The " relative " is allegedly a cousin of my grandfather so could and probably is a different name - they won't let on ( if its genuine ) because then I could do my own research and claim through the site direct. AngliaResearch have been quoted several times in Martin Lewis's Moneysaving website so it appears it could be legitimate. I suppose you could argue it is worth a punt as 60% of something is worth more of 100% of nothing !!
 
Stuart Truman said:
Check if any of your relatives have been approached. Also nothing to stop you negotiating...

Tried this also but apparently only I have been approached - it could be that as we have lived in our current home for 26 years and my brothers have recently moved ( or it is all a scam ) I will speak to them next week and ask them to convince me that this is genuine - they could only do this by explaining how my name turned up in their research. I think negotiation is a good option if they have spent some time already - they would want a return on their efforts !
 
Pretty common in the UK and 'lost' relatives often have several companies chasing them to be first to sign the agreement for commission. Used to be a tv series about it.

Worth pursuing, but ask for more details of amounts and then negotiate %'s
 
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