Well, this is a new one to me. It is known as the next of kin scam.

You can check this and other scams.

If anyone out there sees something like this in their email, make sure you really know the people involved.

This may be helpful, scam checker.

Here is the email I received:

From: Alfred Shombo
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 12:17 PM
Subject: Please respond / Next of kin to Moats

Dear Moats,

I am sorry for the embarrassment this mail might cause you, as we have not met before. I am Barrister Alfred Shombo, a solicitor at law; I was the personal attorney to Engineer Philip Moats, who used to work with the biggest oil companies here in South Africa. On the 21st of April 2003, my client, his wife and their two kids were involved in a car accident on their way from Durban from Easter Holiday.

All occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their lives, since then I have made several inquiries to locate any of my clients extended relatives; this has proved unsuccessful. I came across your name and contact while in search of Philip's relations and decided to ask for your assistance for the realization of this project. Before his demise, my client had lodged the sum of US$13,300,000.00 with a security outfit here in Johannesburg South Africa, with the hope of transferring the money to his account overseas in bits.

After his death and nobody has come forward to claim the money as his next of kin, the Security Company last year gave me 12 months notice to provide this next of Kin or have the money confiscated; this ultimatum will expire in a few months time. Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over two years now, I seek your consent to present you as the Next of Kin of the deceased since you both share the same last name so that the ownership of this $USD13.3 Million Dollars can be transferred to you to enable you and I share it on the following percentage: 50% for me 45% for you, and the remaining 5% will be used for expenses and tax.

Please, find attached, picture of the funds as was taken by my client before it was deposited with the Security company, and it is worthy for you to know that he got this money from one of the Oil deals he had with the then Oil Minister. Also attached is the picture of the entire family that perished in the accident. This is just to proof to you that my proposal is genuine.

I will also procure all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us see this business through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law.

Get in touch with me through my email address so that we can proceed.

Sincerely yours,
Alfred Shombo ESq.

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