Sophisticated Spam

There are a few mistakes which make this junk mail stand out as a scam, but it's incredibly sophisticated by way of a social engineering attack compared to the 419 scams of old.

Dearest friend

I make this contact believing we will be of support to each other in developing a long-lasting cordial business relationship. I am moved by my inspiration to trust your sincerity and ability.

On 27 August 2007, a confidant of mine who has the same last name with you died in a car accident along Manchester Express Road. Unfortunately, all occupants of the vehicle lost their lives. My late friend had no wife and children before his death. I enquired to find out his extended relatives, but could not find any.

Three weeks ago I noticed a letter from a financial vault institution about their plan to confiscate or cancel the account own by my late friend (Value US $ 15.5 Million) if I fail to produce an heir to my dead friend whom is expected to come forward and claim the vault account. On the basis of this and the fact you have the same surname as him, I make this contact to ask your sincere cooperation. Together we will claim the money to avoid confiscation of the account.

I seek your consent to stand as the only existing family of the Deceased. For that reason I have employed a lawyer capable to obtain necessary legal documents to back up the claims, and he assures me of his professional support. I need your honest cooperation to succeed this transaction. I guarantee it will be done with legitimate arrangement made according to inheritance law.

Anticipating your prompt response!

Sincerely,

Jones Douglas
108 Manchester Road,
Chorlton cum Hardy
Manchester Lancashire
M21 9TX England

• few people have the name "Marek Isalski"
• why would someone with a Polish name who was in Manchester have an estate in US Dollars?
• there is no "Manchester Express Road"
• the address in Chorlton does exist, and the postcode is certainly reasonable