Those receiving such emails are urged not to respond to them, and “under no circumstances” to send the sender any money.
Emails sent from this address – saleh@mohammed-saleh.com – “offer individuals an opportunity to share in a backlog of ‘Excess Maximum Return Capital Profits’ (EMRCP), which may appear attractive to individuals seeking financ[ing]”, the DFSA says in a statement on its website.
“The email falsely advises that the DIFC wishes to invite the recipient [of the email] to ‘participate as a broker/agent’ [in] a “DIFC individualised equity investment portfolio management programme”, and explains that the DIFC “is ‘privately looking for fiduciary agents and management experts who will be willing to act as investment portfolio holders and administrators’", having in its possession " ‘a backlog of an Excess Maximum Return Capital Profit of an average of 1.2% on each private investment and corporate portfolio under its administration and control’”, the DFSA statement adds.
Anyone who responds to the offer is sent a fraudulent “partnership contract”, the DFSA statement notes.
It provides a link to an example of the fraudulent email, which may be viewed here.
The governor of the DIFC, Saleh, does not use that particular email address, nor is the DIFC a financial institution, but rather, it is a so-called ‘free zone’ located within the city of Dubai, the DFSA statement points out.
It also notes that the DIFC is not in the business of providing equity investment portfolio management programmes, loans or investment funds.
Anyone with concerns or questions on the authenticity “of any DIFC or DFSA correspondence or documents” is urged to contact the DIFC or the DFSA.