This email asks if you can handle a multi-million dollar financial transaction with one Mr George Lewis.
Apparently, George is inviting you to assist him in investing $45.2 million in various areas of interest including real estate, fisheries, and hotels. And, he promises that you will be compensated for “assisting him to secure the funds for investment purposes”.
But, alas, the person who sent the email is an advance fee scammer and, despite his claims, he does not have a $45 million investment fund. And, his name is almost certainly not George Lewis.
If you reply, the scammer, still posing as George, will claim that he needs you to send him money before the deal can go through. He’ll tell you that the money is required to pay various fees in advance. He’ll explain that the fees cannot be paid out of the investment fund itself for legal reasons. And, he’ll warn that the plan will fall through if you do not send the requested funds within a few days.
If you do send money, “George” will invent a series of reasons as to why you need to send even more money. He’ll continue to send requests for money until you run out of funds or at last realise that you are being scammed.
At the point, “George” will disappear with your money and suddenly become uncontactable.
Moreover, as the scam played out, “George” may have managed to trick you into sending him a large amount of your personal and financial information. He may have asked you to send documents to prove your identity, ostensibly so that he could set up the investment deal in your name. And, he may have asked you to provide your banking details so that the supposed investment funds could be transferred into your account.
The scammer can later use this information to steal your identity.
Scams like this one have been around for many years and predate the Internet by decades. Nevertheless, they still gain new victims every day. Be wary of any unsolicited email, fax, letter, SMS, or social media message that promises you a share in a large sum of money you know nothing about.
Read more about Advance Fee Scams
An example of the scam email:
Subject: Investment capital
I am surprised that you did not get my first mail to you.
I am MR GEORGE LEWIS I want to inquire from you if you can handle a financial transaction (investment) of $45.2M with me which
I believe will benefit you and I.Please get back to me
1] Investment capital is $45.2M
2] Areas of interest are Real Estates, Industries, Fisheries, Transports, and Hotels
3] Shares are subject to negotiations. Take note that this transaction is 100% legitimate and risk-free. You shall be compensated for assisting to secure the funds for investment purposes.
Please ensure that this matter is kept strictly confidential.
NB…You can get back to me with this email
[Address removed]
Thanks for honoring this invitation. Expecting your mail ASAP.
Thanks
MR GEORGE LEWIS
Original Source : https://www.hoax-slayer.net/handle-financial-transaction-scam/