BOGUS ESTATE VICTIMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 26 March 1930, Page 5

BOGUS ESTATE VICTIMS

SWINDLERS' HAULS Many people of Eiiglish descent in the United States are lit present being persuaded to part with money for "fighting funds" to obtain control of "hereditary estates'- of great value. The "estates," they are informed, are held in Chancery pending the discovery of (.lie. rightful heirs. These people, some of whom have been badly hit by the Wall Street crash, are being victimised by so-called "unclaimed money agents,"'who pretend to be able to hold instructions from tho English "Court of Chancery" authorising them to act. A "'family tree" purporting to show the direct descent of the .victim from some famous character in English history is first presented with "proofs" of the vast estate held by the authorities. All that is needed, it is stated, is a comparatively small sum of money to secure the "millions."

Once the "heir" or "heiress" hands over money all sorts of promises are made —and fresh difficulties arise which require more money. Frequently relatives are persuaded to pool their resources in the "light." And then, when the supposed beneficiaries can pay no more, tiie agent announces that he is '"going to England to fix the deal." He is not heard of again. One American now in England is said to be associated with a woman claiming friendship with people in the highest English circles. For many years this man has been obtaining money from a. Chicago woman on tho ground that she is entitled to participate in the estate of Sir Francis Drake—which is said to be worth "millions." An official concerned in the administration of estates in Chancery told a "Daily Mail" reporter recently that these'"Drake millions'' were a myth, lie said: "From the number of letters wo are receiving it is apparent that this and .other "fortunes' attract a ;,ieat deal of money from people who hope to get rich. If these estates reahy existed the fortunes held in Chancevy would amount, to hundreds of millions of pounds. In actual fact less than £2,000,003 is being administered."