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28 March 2024

'Prince Al Waleed millions' email scam hits UAE

Published
By Staff

After trying to dupe people in the oil-rich Gulf states with massive cash prizes for the past years, online scammers have now come with a new con, using a recent decision by Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed bin Talal pledging nearly $32 billion to charity.

Several people in the UAE said they have received emails from a company in the United States telling them they are acting for the Saudi Prince and that they have  been randomly been chosen to receive millions of dollars.

One recipient in Abu Dhabi said he received an email this week congratulating him for being selected to receive $3.2 million and asking him to send his personal details.

“Congratulations… our distributional strength and reputation comes from our ability to fully understand the broader secure requirements of an assignee and the key procedure that needs to be taken to ensure fast and legal process that is not contrary to your country policy subsequently,” the message said.

“As a preferred and concerned clearance office for this donation to a range of specific winners involves to undergo secure payment of $ 3.2 million. The funds benefit is part of the donation made by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal  donating his entire $32 billion fortune, announced on 1st of July 2015.”

The message told the Arab man, who did not want to be identified, that he would receive the money “sooner than expected”.

The senders asked the recipient to send them an ID copy, his full name, place and date of birth,  country and city of residence, phone number, and  “favorite colour”.

UAE police have  frequently warned people against such scams which normally involve  a request to the victims to send their bank account details.