Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.

I was last based in NY.

Yes, I do need these funds urgently (I am legally bound to buy an apartment for which the down payment is due in a couple of weeks, and if the transaction falls through I might be liable for 10% of the apartment price...)

I did buy a CD in the past (when I was still in the US) and early terminated it.

I doesn't seem like my case falls within the scope of a complaint I can raise to the FBI, but I will do all your other suggestions, thanks a lot for these.

Would it help to get the letter notarized?

Do you think I should also get help from a lawyer?