This certainly is a scam. This kind of thing has been going around for some time. I remember my boss receiving letters from so-called government officials trying to get family members out of the country, usually African dictator lead countries, but first they had to get the $millions out of the country, so the family member/s could live comfortably once they escaped.
They requested bank details and the recipient, of the letter, would be given a percentage of the total amount lodged in his account. This was as far back as '90s. I do not know anyone that fell for it at the time.

But with the advent of the internet this sort of thing is much more prevalent. So we all have to be on the look out.

Thanks for posting this, LoriLee.

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Vicky
www.c-vas.eu