Don't hand over money and personal information in response to unsolicited emails

Nov 27, 2013 19:21 GMT  ·  By

Scammers have come up with another interesting story to trick unsuspecting Internet users into handing over their money and personal information.

The emails spotted by Hoax Slayer purport to come from a rich merchant from Dubai called Jamal Ali. He claims he’s writing from a hospital bed since he has been diagnosed with “prostate and esophageal cancer.”

He says he wants to donate his fortune to charities from the United Arab Emirates, Ireland and England, and he’s willing to give 30% of it to anyone willing to help him.

Those who respond to the scam emails are told that they must pay certain fees before the money can be sent to them. Victims are also asked to hand over personal information.

For instance, in a recent 419 scam we’ve analyzed, the fraudster asked us to send him a copy of an ID and other documentation to demonstrate that we’re trustworthy.

If you receive such emails, ignore them. No one will give you large amounts of money for no good reason.

Here is what these emails look like:

“Hello.

This letter may come to you as a surprise due to the fact that we have not yet met. I have to say that I have no intentions of causing you any pains so i decided to contact you through this medium.

As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because, I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Jamal Ali, a merchant in Dubai, in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer that was discovered very late due to my laxity in caring for my health.

It has defiled all form of medicine and right now, I have only about a few months to live according to medical experts.

I have not particularly lived my life so well, as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. Though I am very rich, I was never generous, I was always hostile to people and only focus on my business as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world.

I believe if i have a second chance to come to this world I would live my life a different way from how I have lived it. Now that I know my time is near, I have willed and given most of my properties and assets to my immediate and extended family members and as well as a few close friends and Schools in the UAE.

I have decided to give alms to charity organizations, as I want this to be one of the last good deeds I do on earth. So far, I have distributed money to some charity organizations in the U.A.E, England and Ireland. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this my self any more.

I want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatched it to charity organizations and let them know that it is I Jamal Ali that is making this generous donation.”