50% of 30 million USD from Dubai

There was a friend request from a stranger on Facebook. I normally don't reply to strangers, but seeing the title of the person, stating himself as the Deputy CEO of a bank in Dubai, I thought about some business potential and accepted the request.

Soon after my acceptance, the person sent me a message asking for my help in getting a deceased person's residual money from his account because I have the same last name as his, Sakamoto. He said his high position allows him to withdraw the money, 30 million USD, from Sakamoto's account smoothly. Not only that message, but he also called me through Messenger several times, and finally I decided to answer his call. He said he wanted to start his own business, he badly needed my help, it was 100% risk free, and the share would be 50/50.

He requested my email account, so I sent him a note from my free address. Then he replied with some passport copy, his bank ID, and some sentences confirming his requests in his text. To be honest, I briefly thought, "A half of 30 million USD? That's a lot of money." Since I will need to pay a lot of unintentional national tax next year, my devil's advocate told me to check this out.

However, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Those things always have a dangerous side. Of course, I was careful enough to search for such scams, and soon, found similar things on websites. So, I blocked his account and just neglected his emails after. I discovered the purpose of the scam was eventually to gain some transaction money from me. The website said it was about 10,000 USD. What a temptation. Lol.

-----------The text I received-----------
Hello Sakamoto,

I decided to write you this message. I have been in search of someone with this last name " Sakamoto", so when I saw you online, I was pushed to contact you and see how best we can assist each other. I am Mr.M***, a Bank Officer here in U.A.E. I believe it is the wish of God for me to come across you now. I am having an important business discussion I wish to share with you which I believe will interest you, because it is in connection with your last name and you are going to benefit from it.

One Late Peter Sakamoto, a citizen of your country had a fixed deposit with my bank in 2005 for 108 calendar months, valued at US$30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million United State Dollars) the due date for this deposit contract was last 22nd of January 2018. Sadly Peter was among the death victims in the May 27 2006 Earthquake disaster in Java, Indonesia that killed over 5,000 people. He was in Indonesia on a business trip and that was how he met his end. My bank management is yet to know about his death, I knew about it because he was my friend and I am his account officer. Peter did not mention any Next of Kin/ Heir when the account was opened, and he was not married and no children. Last week my Bank Management requested that Peter should give instructions on what to do about his funds, if to renew the contract.

I know this will happen and that is why I have been looking for a means to handle the situation, because if my Bank Directors happens to know that Peter is dead and do not have any Heir, they will take the funds for their personal use, so I don't want such to happen. That was why when I saw your last name I was happy and I am now seeking your co-operation to present you as Next of Kin/ Heir to the account, since you have the same last name with him and my bank head quarters will release the account to you. There is no risk involved; the transaction will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of law. It is better that we claim the money, than allowing the Bank Directors to take it, they are rich already. I am not a greedy person, so I am suggesting we share the funds equal, 50/50% to both parties, my share will assist me to start my own company which has been my dream. Let me know your mind on this and please do treat this information as TOP SECRET. We shall go over the details once I receive your urgent response strictly through my
personal Email address:mohamednahdi003@gmail.com

EMAIL:mohamednahdi003@gmail.com

We can as well discuss this on phone; let me know when you will be available to speak with me. Have a nice day and God bless. Anticipating your communication.

M****.