Scams - watch out

Last Tuesday, as Monica Attard's guest in her programme on Radio 101, we spoke about scams. Here follows one of the scams we highlighted:

Help. As you read this, I don't want you to feel sorry for me, because I believe everyone will die someday.

My name is Emmanuel Khan, a merchant in Dubai, in the UAE.

I have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It has defied all forms of medical treatment and right now I have only 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 focused 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 when God gives me a second chance to come to this world I would live my life in differently. Now that God has called me, I have willed and given most of my property and assets to my immediate and extended family members as well as a few close friends. I want God to be merciful to me and accept my soul, so I have decided to give alms to charity organsations, 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 organisations in the UAE, Algeria and Malaysia. Now that my health has deteriorated so badly, I cannot do this myself any more. I once asked members of my family to close one of my accounts and distribute the money which I have there to charity organisations in Bulgaria and Pakistan. However, they refused and kept the money to themselves. Hence, I do not trust them any more, as they seem not to be contented with what I have left for them.

The last of my money which no one knows of is a huge cash deposit of $28 million that I have with a finance/security company abroad. I will want you to help me collect this deposit and dispatch it to charity organisations.

I have set aside 20% for you and for your time.

God be with you. (Emmanuel Khan)

Although by now we are well aware of such scams, we still have victims who fall for it. Therefore, from time to time, we still have to remind consumers to be on their guard.

Please beware! These people are always working on creating new versions of the scam. They send thousands of messages similar to the one featured above in so many different permutations so they still get people who actually fall for it. Do not respond to such messages. You must resist the temptation to tell them what you think. Do not enter into any dialogue with them. Some of them are very skilful in obtaining personal data. Do not exchange any messages with these people.