The Commission has recently become aware of an email received by members of the financial services sector.
The sender of the email claims to be acting on behalf of Mrs Rukija Akhmad Kadyrov, widow of the former Chechen president. It asks the recipient to assist the sender in investing in excess of thirty million US Dollars (about £16 million pounds).
It asks the recipient to act as the "original beneficiary" of these funds, thereby seeking to mask its origins. The message also claims that "The sum will be paid from Turicum Private Bank in Gibraltar".
Turicum Private Bank Limited is authorised under the Banking Act 1992 for deposit taking business. It does not hold any account in the name of Mrs Rukija Akhmad Kadyrov or any other funds held on her behalf.
This Commission is therefore satisfied that there is no connection between the sender of this email and the genuine Turicum Private Bank Limited.
Tellingly, the latter part of the email asks the recipient to disclose full names, contact address and direct telephone number. We believe that such information would be used to impersonate the recipient (identity theft) and / or to use this information to attempt further fraudulent activity.
Any email user receiving similar emails that claim to have funds held in financial institutions in Gibraltar are asked to contact Manager, Enforcement on +350 200 40283 or email to enforcement@fsc.gi.