Lecture Notes: The Story of Stephen and the Inheritance Scam

Introduction

• Story about a man named Stephen
• Stephen is 51 years old and lives in North Dakota
• He receives an email claiming he has a large inheritance from a relative in Ireland
• The inheritance is supposedly $30 million

Stephen's Plans

• Stephen is excited about the inheritance
• Plans to buy land, give money to his sons, and start an auto shop
• Lives with a longtime girlfriend, Ina, for 10 years

Relationship with Ina

• Ina is also excited about the inheritance
• Stephen plans to leave Ina once he receives the inheritance
• Ina finds out about Stephen's plan through a mutual acquaintance

Ina's Reaction

• Ina feels entitled to the inheritance as Stephen's common-law wife
• Plans to poison Stephen with antifreeze to ensure she gets the money

The Day of the Incident

• Stephen needs to meet a supposed London lawyer at the airport to sign documents
• Ina poisons Stephen's sweet tea with antifreeze
• Stephen becomes ill but insists on waiting for the lawyer

Events at the Airport

• Stephen's condition worsens; friends suggest leaving
• Lawyer never arrives; Stephen becomes unresponsive
• Friends take Stephen home; Ina remains at the airport

Aftermath

• Stephen is taken to the hospital a day later and passes away
• Friends suspect Ina and inform the police
• Police investigate and find antifreeze in Stephen's system

Ina's Arrest and Trial

• Police question Ina; she tries to blame Stephen's friends
• North Dakota does not recognize common-law marriage, so Ina inherits nothing
• Police find antifreeze in suspicious locations at the home
• Ina is arrested and eventually pleads guilty

Conclusion

• Ina is sentenced to 25 years in prison
• The supposed inheritance was a scam; no real lawyer or inheritance
• The story highlights the dangers of inheritance scams and misguided actions