Worst of the week

This week’s Sunday Scam Tip really falls under the heading of “worst of the week.” Yesterday, I received the following email:

Attention: sir/madam

I am Paul Meyer Attorney to the late Engr.Steve Moore who died with his wife and their three kids in a car accident.

Before his death he had funds valued at 27million deposited in a bank

I need your assistance to retrieve the money left behind by my client.

Get back to me for more details.

Thanks

Barr Paul Meyer

Seriously? The barrister really expects me or one of the other 49 Terry’s he didn’t remove from the “To” field to fall for this? Obviously, he does. Daily Finance recently reported that 40% of consumers don’t recognize the signs of a scam, perhaps I’ve underestimated “Barr Paul Meyer.” Maybe not. “Barr” is the correct abbreviation for barrister. One point for Paul. But wait, a barrister is an English attorney. Paul doesn’t sound very British to me. While researching barristers, I discovered what they really do.

Their job description seems odd to me, but it is the British legal system, so I’ll just keep a stiff upper lip and say that a barrister argues a case before the court. According to what I read he doesn’t meet with clients. So why is a barrister contacting me directly? Or the other 49 Terry’s. Hmmm…

Then there’s the issue of Engineer Steve’s cool 27 million. Is that dollars? Pounds? Once again, very fishy. Oh, let’s not forget the plea for me to help him get the money left behind by the client. Am I going to be expected to do a Neil Caffrey (if you don’t watch “White Collar,” just think world’s greatest con man)? To top it off, there’s no promise in this email at all to pay me one dime of Engineer Steve’s fortune. My response to this email is “Bugger off, Paul.” I’m not getting back to you by phone, email, or telemarketing call. But, I do thank you for giving me something to rant about.