What information is required for fraud to happen?

Question

Today (19th Jan 2007) A person online who I didn't know told me I had a name which could mean that I could get part of somebodys will. I didn't know the person who died, I just shared a surname with him, and allmost definatly wasn't related 2 him. The person who claimed 2 work for "Omega chambers" was asking me 4 some information, I suspected I was being set up for fraud. The info he asked me 2 provide was :
My full name
My address
My marital status
My telephone number

He didn't ask me 4 any bank account details.
Is it possible 4 people 2 steal from U with just these few pieces of information?
The e-mail he left me was : [e-mail]
Have others been contacted with similar storys? was I right not 2 give him my name and address, etc.
The story he used wasn't very believable, he claimed a rich person with no living relatives had died in a car crash, and he needed somebody who had the same surname 2 try 2 claim the will.
Whats the minimum info required for fraud?

Answer 1

Here is what happens

guys like this put out feelers - see who will bite. When people reply with seemingly innocent information, he knows that you are a better target to get more and more personal information

oh, and to answer your question - for fraud, basically, you need a misrepresentation of material fact and reliance

Answer 2

You can get him for conspiracy, but you would have had to have fallen for his scheme to constitue fraud. Fraud occurs when a person relies in good faith upon the promises made by a third party and damages are incurred as a result of those promises. I am glad you didn't give him any information because with your phone number, he could have found your house and come to take your mail and such, as most identity theives do. Legit companies will contact you by phone and set up an appointment at their office. If a distant relative you didn't know wants to leave you money, how would they have your address? And, why would their representative contact you using an excite.com e-mail address and not that of a law firm? Good job in following your gut and protecting yourself. Next time you get one of those e-mails, you can report it as spam and also to the Federal Trade Commission at spam.uce.gov. To report it to the Federal Trade Commission, you can just forward the e-mail to that address.

Answer 3

You were good not to give out any information. You would be surprised as to what people can find out about someone just with a name and address. And think about it, why would someone contact you by email if you just received a large amount of cash. They should at least have your phone number already.

Answer 4

this sounds like the on-line version of the pidgeon drop...... and YES this is fraud and unlawful and others have seen this and similar and with a few bits of info you can get scammed ... the minimum info that is required is to find someone that is gullible and willing to risk for an easy dollar.... Mostly you can figure that if it is too good to be true then it is probably a lie ...___