Does anyone recognize this email as a hoax?

Question

I got an email from a lawyer stating that he had a client that died and left a bank acount with a whole bunch of money in it. He needs to contact the next of kin before they seize the account, but he has had no luck in doing so. It just so happens that I have the same last name. He wants to set me up with all the appropriate documents, and then present me as the next of kin, splitting the money. I know this is BS, but I don't get how the scam works. Has anyone gotten this one before? It's in Malaysia where all this is supposed to go down. Mwa ha ha.

Answer 1

I can't blame you for questioning whether it might be for real.

I guess this is attemted fraud and would be legally serious. So if you're feeling like cleaning up the world a bit. You could push him for his real name and address, and turn the scumbag in to the authorities

Last time this sort of thing happened to me I had fun playing along and tried to shut him down, saying I would have one of my colleages in the CIB drop by to look at the car (which didn't exist -> EBAY).

Answer 2

It's definitely a hoax. I'm sure they will request pertinent information from you, like your full name, SSN, bank account info, etc. Once they have that, you can expect a sharp decline in your credit worthiness. I haven't seen as many of these types of phishing emails recently, but you won't believe how many times I've won the UK lottery, or some other lottery this past year.

Answer 3

Yes, this is one of the oldest scams on record. You set up the bank account in your name, deposit the check from the thief into it, draw out the money, give him half, and then you go to jail when the check bounces.

Answer 4

I actually look forward to getting them. Makes me laugh.

Answer 5

and all you have to do is give him money to set this up...

sounds like that nigerian scam to me....