New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-09
UNCLAIMED FINDS ~ CHASCERY.
tbe Editor Of The Tribune.

TO the Editor OF The TrlD uh T.
Sir shall be glad II you allow me to warn 'hro"S'
your columns the numerous class OF persons WHO '''
constantly being deiraudet by next Of kin agents
81 many cas.e come before me that fear this kim
~ fraud must be- successful In America II Is almost
impossible punish The guilty persons IN ms co'"'s
as the nee essary witnesses always many '"o"'"i"
Of miles away. il IS only by means OF warnings !.
the press that the victims, who SenerahN Deh'"e "
The poorer classes can lie to some extent pFo'e''c"'
ind that very erroneous IDEAS exist IN H'nefl'"
&c IN IN. unclaimed funds In Chanccri. X Is trhc
TIM, the Chancorv Division OF our liish Couf' :"
Tn,iicc holds very large sums OF money ah""n''h2
to about ESQ 900 go altogether. but as resaros 'he
bulk OF this sum. the Court holds me money IL
quasi.trlsce ami pays the dividends regularly every
year 10 the bcnehciarieS. return Is hiou' t'eiN
wear o, funds which have not boon dealt with ior al
Inst fifteen years. The total amount Is ABOUT 81
600 600 hu, hero a.ain the owners Of ;he greater
norton are well known but for various reasons are
no, NJ present entitled to deal with the money Inc
aciual amount unclaimed does not In my OPINION
much exceed $3.50 900. which Is spread over come
hundreds Of accounts. When the fund mas Oech IN
claimed i0r many years. the nunOer vi o"'"''"'
naturally becomes very large. that In the event Oh
success the share " each one. aftPr deu"o""S O''
would in most cases, be very small
AZ regards claims against land and other prop
crtv not held by the Court. generals speaking no
claim can be subtantated after twcny years anV"f'c
nosseSsion | should mention that renl estate H. me
event OF iptc.iacy dcscends to the heir law ana
not 10 the next Of kin. There IS a strange deuson
which l0sicrcd by the next OF kin agents, tn' th'
British Government takes possession OF property WHt"
the owners are unknown, and holds until the riehtu
claimants appear and In the mean time SENDS as""b'
abroad to search for them. II person dies without
n will ard without any lawful relatives, his propert'
uasscs TO the Crown This sometimes happens IN
the case OF illcgitimat" person, but 20 Tar rs NV
experience goes. rarely II ever In any other case
When the Crown acquires property In this way. the
solicitor Il the Treas Iry frequently advcftiseS IN IN,
country for the newt Of Kin. but ne does not "N''
himself 10 find them and ccrtanl never SENDS agent
abroad 1t IS obviously To his interest Uat no "eA.
Of kin should b" fount, a> thc crown can INV" Mp
The next OF kin agent generally has some con
fcdoratc IN the States who represents mat ne Is sh
agent OF III. British Government. ANA generally cA
tracts money from his victims for fictitious documents;
have before me- the pr">cn' moment loIs'IN ="
the NEST impudcnt description issued from nn our,
Dominion Bureau 4jl Eighth-ave.. New orK-l NV.
Of Chanceiy. From its appearance Imagine 'hai II
is not the only which has been Issued IL" p'l'e
asked for tbs precious document /, T33. -
In conclusion would give the following auV'cc
l. Never pay anything T. any one ih enforcing d"
next of Kin claim. Ii the claim is grn"'n" 'l' ''S'
can BE- paid out Of The amount recovered
> If any represents that he Is sent out DIV tlr
British Government 10 look ont lor c'HhhHh''' P"'
lin down sWiuG.cr NJ once
3 n any one represents that YOU ar" claimant 70
fund. ask under whose viii or under whose lh'es'acF
the clam arises and then confirm thN II"Ii"'"h
by independent inquiry.
- DO not trouble about calm AT all unless the
case IS a very clear one Scarcely on" am IN 4
hundred succeeds. II. :. hI,ri,
No Great st. lIccnS. Blshop'gate Within LONDON
f. C., Nov %, 1892.