Well, at least they are getting a little smarter. I received an initial email from “Alison Robb” (appropriate name chosen) a couple of days ago. Here it is:

Thanks for taking your time to read this email.

I am Alison Robb, Group Director Nationwide Building society, UK. I looked into your profile on LinkedIn and based on your background, you may be a good fit for an opportunity.

I would like to discuss the opportunity if you are open to it. Please share a best email to reach you, so we can setup an overview to discuss further.

I await your swift response.

Best Regards,
Alison Robb. M.A, B.A(Hons)

I should have been alerted by the “swift response” but my first thought was it was a job recruiter. So, I bit and sent a reply. Here is what followed up.

Hello J. Keith,
I appreciate your response. My name is Alison Robb, Group Director at NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY as introduced on my prior note. However, it is noteworthy to state the sole reason behind contacting you.

In August 2007, Mr. Edward Maxwell, a foreign contractor with Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. came to our bank for business discussions and investment. As the officer in charge of his transaction then, I encouraged him to consider various growth of funds with prime ratings.

He invested Nineteen Million Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($19,500,000.00 USD) only. Based on my advice, we could spin the initial deposit with profit and interest to 22.5 million U.S Dollars. After a few months, my Bank (Nationwide Building Society) sent several notices to him without response. Unfortunately, it was gathered that my client died in an auto crash along with his nuclear family at France while on sabbatical in the summer of 2011; May their soul rest in peace.

He died without leaving a Will and several efforts were made to locate his extended family through his Embassy but to no avail. Due to the sensitive nature of private banking, most clients do not nominate next of kin in their investment; usually in some cases leave their WILLS in our care. In this case, our now deceased client died in-testate. As it stands, there is an unclaimed fund of $22,500,000.00 USD in that account at my Financial Institution.

 

It is quite clear that our client died with no identifiable family member. Owing to practice, the Private Banking sector will by the end of July 2017 broadcast a request for statement of claim to NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY, failing to receive viable claims they will probably revert the deposit to the management of NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY. This will result the money entering the Nationwide accounting system and the portfolio will be out of my hands and out of the private banking division. What bothers me most is per the laws of my country at the expiration of Ten {10} years, the funds will revert to the ownership of the British Government if nobody applies to claim the funds.

I’m prepared to give the necessary details to you as the closest surviving relation of our deceased client since both of you coincidentally or I would say as Fate would have it bear the same surname. I am also proposing that after a successful execution of the business deal, the funds will be shared in the ratio 40/60. You will get 40% and I will be entitled to 60% as the initiator of the deal. You know that I must have done my home work already before contacting you. Although the project is capital intensive, we will be able to pull it through following proper Banking and Legal channels with your assistance at your end.

 

I will tidy up the legal aspect with the assistance of a lawyer who will prepare all the documents that will be needed to transfer the money from London to your country. Once more, I ask that if you find no interest in this project, kindly discard this e-mail. Please, do not be vindictive or destructive; Do not destroy my career. Opportunity like this only comes once in a lifetime. I have a responsible family and this is an opportunity for me to give my family the best in life. Kindly, ponder over my proposal and let me know your decision.

 

If you give me a positive response, I will give you the relevant INFORMATION for the successful transfer of these funds and we both enjoy it in peace and improve our lot in life. If you give me positive signal, I will initiate this process towards a successful conclusion.

Regards,

Alison Robb. M.A, B.A (Hons).

So, do I reply or not? I’m thinking not. $9 Million just doesn’t go that far any more. Maybe I’ll negotiate. I mean, if I didn’t then I wouldn’t be that good of a business man.