Scam alert: Beware of emails about $2-M lottery prize in UAE

Dubai authorities warned about fake emails from supposed government officials about a $2 million lottery prize in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), home to some 636,154 Filipinos, based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. According to a report of the news site Emirates 24/7 on Tuesday, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) issued a 'Dubai National Lottery Foundation 2012' scam alert. The modus operandi involves scammers demanding an "advance fee" using identities of DFSA Chairman Saed Eigner, UAE Central Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and UAE Ministry of Finance. Scammers reportedly send unsolicited letters, using a DFSA letter headed paper, informing persons by email that they won $2,161,500 in the "Dubai National Lottery Foundation 2012 online prize awards." However, the scammers say that the funds cannot be released until the winner pays a remittance fee of $21,600. The report said the letter is "false and is fraudulently motivated." "If you receive letters of this type, you ignore them or report them to the police or relevant financial services regulator," the DFSA said. "You should not respond to the letters; or send money to any person. If you are in doubt you should call your relevant financial services regulator for advice," the DFSA added. The DFSA said it does not communicate via private e-mail addresses (e.g. Gmail or Hotmail). - VVP, GMA News

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