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| Marcel Strigberger |
I just received a letter in the mail from some law firm in London, saying that one of their late clients, a Dr. Marcus Strigberger died about three years ago from COVID, leaving behind life insurance funds of 11,550,300 pounds. The lawyer has tried to locate the good doctor’s relatives but so far no luck. The letter asks that given the “striking similarity in name of the deceased” and yours truly, that I consent to apply to add my name to the policy and partner with the lawyer, whereby 10 per cent goes to various charities and the balance be shared with his firm.
He emphasizes that this venture is “100% risk free.” And payment is expected within 20 days of receipt of my consent. Aren’t I glad my name isn’t something like Smith?
My only issue is that I am retired from my law practice of 40 years plus, and I really do not need or care for this type of money. To me happiness is a leisurely Tim Hortons coffee black, with a maple pecan Danish.
I would therefore like to share this potential windfall with anyone interested. Is it legitimate of course you might ask? Looks legit to me.
The letterhead name reads something like Blackacre and Associates. How can that not be a name of a solid law firm? After all Blackacre is the common name used by professors in law school to refer to a fictional plot of land.
And the address on the letterhead reads “King’s House —147 King Street-London U.K.”
I have not visited London in decades, but I’ll bet dollars to Danishes that there is a King Street there. Stands to reason.
I have of course done my due diligence. I checked out “Dr. Marcus Strigberger.” My Google search did not disclose this name, but it did say, “Right! Do you really mean Marcus Aurelius?” Close enough.
I did note that the envelope the letter came in did not have a British postage stamp. It had a Canada Post imprint. In my view this should not raise any red flags. Maybe Mr. Blackacre was on vacation visiting some family in Canada, and he posted the letter from here. Maybe some aunt of his or whoever lives on a Muskoka farm called Whiteacre? Wouldn’t surprise me.
And so who is interested in getting added to the policy and picking up a few million pounds. As the letter says it’s all “100% risk free.” And 10 per cent even goes to some charities. Win-win proposition, no?
I will add that this gentleman comes across as very magnanimous. In addition to the cash he says he can get us a great deal on some bridge in Brooklyn.
So who’s in? We can meet and discuss this matter at a nearby Tim Hortons over a coffee and maple pecan Danish. Given what you’re getting, you can treat.
Marcel Strigberger retired from his Greater Toronto Area litigation practice and continues the more serious business of humorous author and speaker. His just launched book Boomers, Zoomers, and Other Oomers: A Boomer-biased Irreverent Perspective on Aging is now available on Amazon, (e-book) and paper version. Visit www.marcelshumour.com. Follow him @MarcelsHumour.
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