We are constantly in receipt of mail from "lotteries", settlements, and in this case, "beneficiary" monies. I think that names and addresses are sold to individuals who hope to benefit from "Senioritis", that tendency to hope for a windfall of some sort.
In this case, the hoax was discovered in time and we hope to get the USPS, International Fraud, and the local police department involved for whatever effect that may cause.